INEC has launched preparations for the 2027 General Election with a strategic retreat for its new leadership in Lagos, focusing on BVAS, CVR, and election credibility
INEC Kicks Off 2027 Election Preparations with Strategic Leadership Retreat
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally commenced preparations for the 2027 General Election, holding a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat for its newly appointed leadership from January 9 to 10, 2026, in Lagos State.
The retreat is taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, and brings together the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Directors, and top management staff of the Commission.
Welcoming participants, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, described Lagos—Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of its most politically vibrant states—as a fitting venue at what he called “a defining moment in the Commission’s institutional journey.”
According to him, the retreat marks a critical milestone for reflection, strategic alignment, and institutional consolidation, noting that public expectations of Nigeria’s electoral process have never been higher.
“As we advance towards the 2027 General Election, early planning, strategic coordination and institutional cohesion cannot be overstated,” Prof. Salami said.
He explained that the engagement is designed to strengthen leadership capacity, deepen institutional understanding, and enhance INEC’s operational preparedness ahead of upcoming elections.
INEC Chairman: We Are Custodians of Nigerians’ Will
In his opening address, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, reminded participants of the historic responsibility entrusted to the Commission, describing them as “custodians of the will of the Nigerian people.”
He stressed that effective strategy must be matched with capable personnel and sound execution, noting that leadership cohesion is central to delivering credible elections.
Reflecting on his assumption of office on October 23, 2025, Prof. Amupitan commended INEC staff nationwide for the successful conduct of the Anambra State off-cycle Governorship Election on November 8, 2025, describing it as a strong indicator of the Commission’s readiness for future challenges.
Key Elections Ahead of 2027
While the 2027 General Election remains INEC’s ultimate objective, the Chairman identified several critical milestones ahead, including:
- FCT Area Council Elections in February 2026
- Upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States
According to him, these elections will serve as testing grounds to fine-tune INEC’s operations, including voter register management and the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Five Non-Negotiable Pillars
Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to what he described as five non-negotiable pillars:
- Free elections
- Fair elections
- Credible elections
- Transparent elections
- Inclusive elections
He placed particular emphasis on Nigeria’s growing population of young, tech-savvy voters, stressing that winning their trust through transparency and technological integrity is critical to the future of democracy.
“The rule of law is not a suggestion; it is our operating system,” the Chairman declared, pledging strict adherence to the Electoral Act 2022 and its amendments.
17 Strategic Focus Areas
Over the course of the retreat, participants are expected to deliberate on 17 key thematic areas, including:
- Election logistics
- Personnel management
- Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
- Election security
- Inter-agency collaboration
- Political party regulation
- Internal party democracy
Earlier, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs. Helen Omozua Ajayi, outlined the objectives of the retreat, which include inducting new Commission members, familiarising them with INEC’s legal and administrative framework, and promoting experience-sharing among election administrators at the state level.
As discussions continue, Prof. Amupitan urged participants to break institutional silos and build unity.
“Our goal is not just to conduct elections, but to make INEC the best Election Management Body in Africa—a beacon of integrity, technological efficiency and democratic values,” he said. Read More
