The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the off-cycle governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, alongside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections slated for February 2026, will be a critical rehearsal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat held in Lagos.
He noted that although the 2027 general election remains the Commission’s primary focus, INEC must first successfully conduct several key electoral exercises along the way.
According to Amupitan, the induction and retreat were organised to familiarise newly appointed Commission Members and Resident Electoral Commissioners with INEC’s institutional structure, administrative operations, communication systems, and ethical guidelines.
“These elections will serve as important testing grounds for refining voter registry management, election logistics, and the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS),” he said.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to conduct elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive as preparations for the 2027 polls intensify.
He explained that INEC is intentionally enhancing its leadership strength, operational efficiency, and institutional harmony in response to growing public expectations of the electoral process.
Amupitan emphasised that early preparation, effective coordination, and strict compliance with the rule of law would be essential to the credibility of the 2027 general election.
He outlined five core principles guiding the Commission’s mandate: elections free from interference; fairness to all political parties and candidates; credibility locally and internationally; transparency at every stage of the process; and inclusivity to ensure no eligible Nigerian is excluded.
Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, described the retreat as a key step in INEC’s ongoing institutional development.
He stressed that proactive planning, coordination, and unity within the Commission are vital as preparations advance towards the 2027 general election.
Salami added that the retreat offers an opportunity for reflection, strategic alignment, and institutional strengthening at a time when public confidence and expectations surrounding elections are at an all-time high.