The Independent National Electoral Commission has pledged to Nigerians that their votes will carry weight in the 2027 general election. Prof.
Joash Amupitan, INEC's chairman, made this commitment during a visit to General Abdulsalam Abubakar at his home in Minna, Niger State, on Friday.
Amupitan led a delegation that included National Commissioners, the commission's secretary, and various directors to meet the former head of state. The visit underscored INEC's determination to deliver credible elections despite mounting pressures.
Amupitan hailed Abubakar as the architect of Nigeria's democracy, crediting him with steering the country toward civilian rule in 1999. He said, "We regard the former Head of State not merely as a statesman but as a pillar of support for INEC."
The electoral chief praised Abubakar's work leading the National Peace Committee, noting that his peace accord initiative had shaped Nigeria's political landscape. According to Amupitan, this effort encouraged political actors to embrace non-violence and strengthen democratic values.
Amupitan also used the occasion to congratulate Abubakar on his recent 84th birthday. He described the visit as a journey to express gratitude for the former leader's contributions to peaceful elections and democratic progress.
The INEC chairman told Abubakar that ordinary Nigerians should feel confident casting their ballots. He stressed that the commission's core promise was that votes would be properly counted and reflected in election results.
"Regardless of the pressures confronting the commission, INEC remained committed to ensuring that the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed at the election, would prevail," Amupitan said.
Responding, Abubakar acknowledged the immense challenges facing INEC leadership. He told reporters that the position demanded navigating competing demands from political stakeholders with different interests.
Abubakar urged Nigerians to support INEC and back the commission's work. He argued that democracy's success hinged on citizens and political leaders trusting and cooperating with the electoral body.
The retired general expressed confidence in Amupitan's leadership, calling on him to remain steadfast and impartial. He added, "The success of the nation's democracy depended on the cooperation and confidence extended to INEC by the citizenry and political stakeholders alike."
Earlier that day, Amupitan had met with INEC staff at the Niger State office. He told them that their field work directly shaped whether every vote received fair treatment.
Amupitan described electoral officers and other officials as INEC's grassroots foot soldiers. He charged them to see themselves as the commission's representatives to the public, noting that how they conducted themselves at polling stations would determine public trust in the entire process.
