INEC Seeks Stronger Media Partnership to Rebuild Public Trust
Oru Leonard
ABUJA – The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has acknowledged a growing gap in public confidence in the electoral system, urging the media to play a central role in restoring trust ahead of a critical election period.
Professor Amupitan made this known while receiving members of the INEC Press Corps Executive Committee during a courtesy visit in Abuja on Wednesday. The engagement marked his first official interaction with the media group since his appointment as INEC Chairman in late 2025.
The INEC Chairman commended the Press Corps for its continued professional engagement, noting that public skepticism remains a key challenge for the commission. He stressed the importance of accurate and balanced reporting in conveying the commission’s efforts to ensure transparency and credibility in elections across Nigeria.
Responding on behalf of the delegation, Press Corps Chairman Segun Ojumu lauded Professor Amupitan’s leadership, describing his approach as transparent and reassuring. He emphasized that Nigeria’s electoral process is complex and requires the active cooperation of all stakeholders, including the media, to succeed. The delegation also included Assistant Secretary John Onah and Welfare Director Chux Ukwuatu.
The meeting comes as INEC intensifies preparations for a series of crucial elections under the framework of the Electoral Act 2026.
The commission has announced the following dates for the 2027 General Elections:
January 16, 2027: Presidential and National Assembly elections
February 6, 2027: Governorship and State House of Assembly elections
Ahead of these nationwide polls, INEC will conduct off-cycle governorship elections considered vital indicators of its preparedness:
Ekiti State: June 20, 2026
Osun State: August 8, 2026
Professor Amupitan, who succeeded Mahmood Yakubu, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible, and inclusive.
