From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan has begged Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, to use his exalted office in counseling Politicians, Political Parties, Candidates, and their Supporters against campaign of calumnies and election violence ahead of 2027 general elections.
He made the appeal yesterday Sunday, during his courtesy visit to Emir’s Palace in Zaria, Kaduna State as part of his nationwide/Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive -Staff Engagement for the 2027 General Elections.
INEC Boss said election must not be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice, urged the monarch to strongly counsel the youth in his Emirates not to allow themselves to be used as tools in the hands of politicians or instruments of political violence and thuggery.
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Amupitan also appealed to Emir to encourage Zazzau Emirate to actively participate in all stages of the electoral process, starting from collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to turning out peacefully to vote on election days, saying, “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate”.
He added that the visit is part of the Commission’s established tradition of deep engagement with traditional rulers, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Professor Amupitan equally, assured the Emirate that under his leadership, INEC will remains unreservedly committed to absolute neutrality, fairness, and transparency, including the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
In his response, Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended INEC Chairman for leading the Commission’s delegation to his palace and for providing timely information on preparations for the 2027 General Election.
He described the engagement as remarkable and important, noting that the visit had helped the Emirate and its people to gain a clearer understanding of the Commission’s preparations and the election calendar.
The Emir however, urged INEC to hold unto its promise by allowing fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely dissemination of information and the prompt release of results as that are the critical elements for a successful and peaceful electoral process.
He reminded him of what happened in 2023 election, while advising INEC to address concerns arised from those previous elections, particularly the late distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials and technical challenges associated with election technology.
Saying, that election equipment must be adequately tested before deployment and that election officials and materials should arrive at the polling units on time, saying such measures would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
The Emir equally appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the campaign period and minimise hate speech and other actions capable of threatening peace and national cohesion.
The INEC Chairman and his entourage are in Kaduna in continuation of the nationwide readiness assessment and are also expected to meet with staff from the north west states today Monday 28th September, 2026.
