INEC Chair Urges Zazzau Emir to Mobilise Politicians, Youths Against 2027 Election Violence
Oru Leonard
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, to use his traditional institution to promote peaceful and issue-based political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the appeal on Sunday, September 27, 2026, when he led an INEC delegation on a courtesy visit to the Emir’s Palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of the Commission’s nationwide zonal readiness assessment and interactive engagement with staff ahead of the elections.
The INEC chairman stressed the need for political parties, candidates and their supporters to shun violence, describing elections as a peaceful expression of citizens’ choices rather than a do-or-die contest.
He particularly appealed to the Emir to counsel youths against allowing themselves to be used by politicians for thuggery and other forms of electoral violence.
“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” Amupitan said.
He also urged the monarch to encourage residents of the Zazzau Emirate to participate actively in the electoral process, including the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and peaceful participation on election day.
According to him, an effective democracy requires an informed and engaged electorate.
Amupitan explained that the engagement with traditional rulers formed part of INEC’s strategy of early stakeholder consultation and electoral preparedness, noting that similar engagements had been held with traditional institutions in different parts of the country during previous electoral exercises.
He said preparations for the 2027 elections required early planning and operational discipline, particularly with the national voter register approaching 100 million voters.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the statutory dates for the 2027 general elections had been fixed, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections would hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
He said INEC was strengthening its administrative, technological and logistical arrangements across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure effective delivery of the elections.
Amupitan also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to neutrality, fairness and transparency, saying INEC had “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”
Responding, the Emir of Zazzau commended the INEC chairman for the engagement, describing the visit as timely and important to the Emirate.
Bamalli identified fairness, justice, a level playing field, adequate security, timely dissemination of electoral information and prompt announcement of results as important factors in strengthening confidence in the electoral process.
The monarch also urged INEC to address challenges experienced during previous elections, particularly delays in the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials and technical difficulties associated with election technology.
He called for adequate testing of election equipment before deployment and urged the Commission to ensure that electoral officials and materials arrive at polling units on time.
The Emir further appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the campaign period and avoid hate speech and other actions capable of undermining peace and national cohesion.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would remain united and sustain democratic governance.
The INEC delegation is continuing its nationwide readiness assessment in Kaduna and is expected to meet with staff from states in the North-West zone on Monday, September 28, 2026.
