The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has urged staff of the commission to prepare for the responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections, warning that such performance is the only way to address the growing trust deficit around the electoral body.
Amupitan said the commission was determined to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process and restore the confidence of citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The INEC chairman made the call on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while addressing staff at the commission’s secretariat after inspecting the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise in some local government areas.
He said the commission would also collaborate with the National Population Commission and other relevant agencies to track Nigerians who had attained voting age and ensure they register.
Amupitan emphasised that every activity undertaken by INEC officials would directly influence the credibility of the 2027 elections.
“As we build up to 2027, I want to announce that we are in it together to serve Nigeria and strengthen democracy. Though INEC is already having a trust deficit, whatever we are doing in Abuja, we have to cascade it here,” he said.
He urged the staff to perform their duties with honesty and professionalism.
“We should work hard to restore the trust. We know state congresses are ongoing and some of you are part of it, please, any activity you are handling, do it with every honesty and utmost courtesy,” Amupitan said.
According to him, the commission owes Nigerians credible elections that truly reflect the will of the people.
“What you are doing today will determine the 2027 elections. If you want to determine the future, you create it. What we owe Nigerians is free, fair and credible elections; let their expectations be met.
“We want Nigerians to begin to believe in INEC, that whoever emerges is the will of the people,” he added.
The chairman also disclosed that the commission planned to conduct a voters’ register revalidation exercise aimed at ensuring the accuracy of the electoral database.
He explained that the exercise would help remove the names of deceased persons and others who were no longer eligible to vote.
“The register should be sanitised,” he stated.
Amupitan also charged INEC staff to actively participate in public enlightenment about the ongoing voter registration exercise.
According to him, creating awareness should not be left solely to the commission’s Voter Education and Publicity Department.
“Encourage and galvanise them to come out while assuring them that their votes will count,” he said.
Responding, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Obo Effanga, thanked the chairman for visiting the state and interacting with staff at the registration centres.
He assured the INEC leadership that the state office would work diligently to deliver on the commission’s mandate ahead of the 2027 polls.
During the inspection tour, Amupitan visited several Continuous Voter Registration centres in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo, where officials and registrants complained about network disruptions and login challenges affecting the process.
The chairman, however, assured them that the technical issues would be addressed promptly.
He also expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of young people at the registration centres and called for intensified voter education across the state to encourage greater participation in the exercise.