2027: INEC has no preferred candidate, party — Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians and political parties that the commission will remain neutral in the 2027 general elections and will not favour any candidate or political platform.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja at the formal signing of the First National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns, organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre.

The event was held a day before the official commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Let me state unequivocally that INEC has no interest in who wins or loses any election. The Commission does not have a candidate, nor does it favour any political platform. Our only interest is a lawful, transparent, credible, and inclusive process,” he said.

He pledged that INEC would act as an “uncompromising, impartial umpire” to ensure a level playing field for all contestants.

The INEC chairman urged political parties and candidates to focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians instead of personal attacks, character assassination and inflammatory rhetoric.

He said the timing of the Peace Accord provided an opportunity to set the ethical boundaries of the contest before campaigns begin on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Describing elections as “competitive job interviews before the electorate,” Amupitan said Nigerians deserved substantive debates on economic growth, national security, infrastructure, healthcare, education and social inclusion.

He called on candidates to present clear and measurable programmes on these issues.

He also warned against the spread of misinformation and disinformation by political parties, their digital media teams and online supporters.

According to him, unverified and premature declarations of results could trigger panic and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.