INEC Chair: Elections Must Not Be Do-or-Die

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has disclosed that the Presidential and National Assembly elections for the 2027 general elections have been scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Amupitan made the disclosure during his engagements with traditional rulers as part of efforts to encourage peaceful participation ahead of the elections. He has visited more than 50 traditional rulers in Osun State, including the Ooni of Ife, ahead of the Osun governorship election, as well as the Oba of Lagos.

The INEC chairman said elections should not be treated as a “do-or-die affair”, but as a peaceful celebration of citizens’ civic choice. He also called on traditional rulers, including the Emir of Zazzau, to encourage their people to actively participate in all stages of the electoral process, beginning with the collection of Permanent Voter Cards and continuing through the voting process.

Amupitan stressed the importance of peaceful participation and urged traditional institutions to help mobilise their communities for the 2027 elections.

His engagements with traditional rulers come as INEC intensifies consultations and voter participation efforts ahead of the general elections.