The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, to use his traditional platform to counsel political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence and other forms of electoral misconduct ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Amupitan made the appeal on Sunday, September 27, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s Palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of INEC’s nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement for the 2027 elections.
The INEC Chairman warned that elections must not be treated as “do-or-die affairs,” but as a peaceful expression of citizens’ choices.
He also urged the Emir to counsel young people against allowing themselves to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence and thuggery.
«”Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” Amupitan said.»
He further appealed to the Emir to encourage residents of the Zazzau Emirate to participate actively in the electoral process, from collecting their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to turning out peacefully to vote.
According to him, “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate.”
Amupitan said the visit was part of INEC’s established engagement with traditional rulers, recalling similar consultations with the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti during the Ekiti Governorship Election, more than 50 traditional rulers in Osun State, including the Ooni of Ife and the Ataoja of Osogbo, as well as the Oba of Lagos and White Cap Chiefs during the Commission’s South-West Zonal Assessment tour.
He said the conduct of a national election in what he described as “Africa’s largest democracy,” with a voter register approaching 100 million, required early planning, operational discipline and sustained engagement with stakeholders.
The INEC Chairman said the Commission had moved away from last minute logistics towards early testing, auditing and strengthening of its operational systems ahead of elections.
He disclosed that the statutory dates for the 2027 General Elections had been fixed, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections would hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
He said administrative, technological and logistical arrangements were being strengthened across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Amupitan also assured the Emirate of INEC’s commitment to neutrality, fairness and transparency, declaring that the Commission had “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
Responding, the Emir of Zazzau commended the INEC Chairman for leading the delegation to the palace and for providing information on preparations for the 2027 elections.
Bamalli described the engagement as important, saying it had provided the Emirate and its people with a clearer understanding of INEC’s preparations and the election timetable.
He identified fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely dissemination of information and prompt release of results as critical to a successful electoral process.
The Emir also urged INEC to address shortcomings recorded during previous elections, particularly delays in the distribution of sensitive and non sensitive electoral materials and technical challenges associated with election technology.
He called for election equipment to be adequately tested before deployment and for electoral officials and materials to arrive at polling units on time, saying this would help strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
Bamalli also appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during campaigns and minimise hate speech and other actions capable of threatening peace and national cohesion.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would remain united and sustain democratic governance.
The INEC Chairman and his delegation are in Kaduna as part of the Commission’s nationwide readiness assessment.
