Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has urged political parties and their supporters to shun violence, calumny and inflammatory rhetoric as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the call in Minna, Niger State, during the turbanning ceremony of INEC National Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, at the Palace of the Emir of Minna.
The INEC chairman urged traditional rulers to use their influence to counsel politicians and their supporters to conduct peaceful, issue based campaigns and avoid actions capable of disrupting public order.
“Voting is a fundamental right under our Constitution. It is not a privilege that is conferred to anybody,” Amupitan said.
He appealed to traditional rulers to encourage politicians to “conduct their campaigns peacefully” and avoid “campaigns of calumny and denigration.”
“Campaigns should be based on issues, and not heat up the system, and we don’t want a campaign that will lead to a breach of law and order,” he added.
The INEC chairman called on traditional institutions to maintain regular engagement with political actors and their supporters throughout the electoral process, stressing the need for responsible conduct ahead of the 2027 polls.
He also commended traditional rulers for recognising and promoting the contributions of women to national development.
At the ceremony, Oriaran-Anthony was conferred with the traditional title of Gimbiyan Raya Kasan Minna by the Emir of Minna.
The INEC secretary described the honour as a call to greater service, saying it recognised her previous development initiatives within the emirate.
She pledged to deepen engagements with youths, children and women while working to attract further development to the area.
“There will be more engagements with the youth, with the children, with the women, and also attract developments to the emirate,” she said.
Oriaran-Anthony also urged parents not to limit their children based on gender, saying every child should be given equal opportunities to fulfil their potential.
“My message to the parents is that do not limit your children, whether boys, whether girls,” she said.
She added that parents could not know which child might ultimately transform their family, community or nation.
