By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its resolve to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process as it commences early strategic preparations for the 2026 off-cycle elections and the 2027 General Election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Lagos at a Leadership Workshop organised by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) for the Commission’s top leadership.

Speaking at the three-day retreat held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Prof. Amupitan said the workshop comes at a critical moment for the Commission, as it navigates a period of leadership transition marked by changes at the top and the imminent retirement of several directors and senior management staff.

According to him, institutional continuity at INEC must go beyond preserving structures, stressing that it should be anchored on clarity of purpose, integrity of leadership and unity of vision.
“Continuity does not mean sameness,” the INEC Chairman said. “It means the ability to carry forward our constitutional mandate with fidelity, while responding intelligently and decisively to emerging realities.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 off-cycle polls and the 2027 General Election, Prof. Amupitan noted that Nigerians expect an electoral management body that is independent, transparent, professional and credible. He explained that these expectations informed the Commission’s ongoing induction and strategic retreat aimed at setting a clear direction for 2027 and beyond.

While acknowledging the reforms achieved between 2015 and 2023, the INEC boss admitted that public confidence in the electoral process remains fragile, warning that democracy cannot thrive without trust.

“In an era where fake news travels faster than the truth, INEC is often forced to defend its integrity against orchestrated falsehoods even before the first ballot is cast,” he said, adding that misinformation and disinformation now pose serious threats to electoral credibility.
Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed that under his leadership, INEC remains committed to delivering free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections in strict compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines.

He stressed that rebuilding public confidence is not a one-off task but a daily operational responsibility that guides every decision taken by the Commission.

He also noted that the leadership workshop, which brought together the Chairman and all National Commissioners, underscores INEC’s belief in collective leadership and shared responsibility in identifying electoral risks and leveraging emerging opportunities.

In his remarks, IFES Regional Director for Africa and Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Seray Jah, described the workshop as the first strategic step in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 General Election, noting that the credibility of elections is largely determined by decisions taken early in the electoral cycle.

Mr. Jah said IFES has partnered with INEC since 1998 to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system through support for strategic planning, election operations, technology deployment, institutional reforms and inclusion.

According to him, the workshop provides INEC’s leadership with an opportunity to reflect on emerging challenges such as increasingly complex logistics, the responsible use of technology, misinformation and AI-driven risks, internal coordination, and sustaining public trust in a highly polarised environment.

He reaffirmed IFES’ commitment to supporting INEC throughout the 2027 electoral cycle and beyond, while acknowledging the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in promoting electoral integrity and democratic governance in Nigeria.

The workshop brought together INEC National Commissioners, senior management staff and international partners to deliberate on leadership, institutional resilience and strategies for strengthening public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.