2027: Nigerians’ votes will count, Amupitan declares during Abdulsalami visit

Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says Nigerians’ votes will count in the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Friday during a courtesy visit to Abdulsalami Abubakar, chairman of the national peace committee, at his residence in Minna, Niger state, Amupitan described the former head of state as “the father of democracy in Nigeria.”

Amupitan said the commission regarded Abubakar “not merely as a statesman but as a pillar of support for INEC”.

According to the INEC chairman, the initiative had provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence, thereby strengthening “the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.”

He said the visit was “a pilgrimage of appreciation” for Abubakar’s contributions to peaceful coexistence, peaceful elections and democratic stability.

The INEC chairman said regardless of the pressure confronting the commission, it remained committed to ensuring that the will of Nigerians, as expressed at the polls, would prevail.

“The commission’s determination under my leadership is to see ordinary Nigerians go out and vote, confident that their votes would be duly counted and reflected in the outcome of elections,” he said.

According to him, this is the core assurance INEC owes the electorate, adding that the presidential and national assembly elections will hold on January 16, while the governorship and state houses of assembly polls will take place on February 6.

Amupitan also congratulated the former head of state on his recent 84th birthday.

On his part, Abubakar called on Nigerians to support INEC ahead of the general election.