INEC Has No Candidate, Will Not Favour Any Party — Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians and political parties that the commission will remain neutral in the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Abuja during the signing of the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said INEC has no preferred candidate or political party and would not allow its officials to be compromised during the electoral process.

“INEC has no interest in who wins or loses any election. The Commission does not have a candidate, nor does it favour any political platform.”

According to the INEC chairman, the commission’s primary responsibility is to provide a lawful, transparent, credible and inclusive electoral process, while ensuring a level playing field for all contestants.

Amupitan also urged presidential candidates and political parties to make the 2027 campaign about policies, programmes and solutions rather than personal attacks, character assassination and inflammatory rhetoric.

He specifically challenged candidates to tell Nigerians what they intend to do about the economy, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure and social inclusion.

He further warned against misinformation, disinformation, premature declaration of results and the use of private armed groups to disrupt the electoral process.

The INEC chairman said the official campaign for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections would commence on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, ahead of the elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.