The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged traditional rulers in the South East to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
He gave the charge during INEC's National Zonal Physical Assessment Tour in the South-East, undertaken as part of comprehensive preparations for the 2027 general election.
Amupitan delivered this message in Enugu during an official courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Sir Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu.
The Chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners and senior management officials of the Commission, emphasized that the tour commenced in this zone with appropriate recognition of its traditional institutions.
"We regard it as an indispensable administrative protocol and a profoundly valued custom to commence our activities in Enugu State by extending respect to the esteemed guardians of our cultural heritage, traditions, and community principles," he remarked.
He further noted that the Commission had consistently prioritized direct consultation with prominent traditional rulers across all geopolitical zones previously visited.
"The Commission has established as a core priority the direct engagement with senior traditional rulers, acknowledging that royal authorities serve as the fundamental pillars of community peace, civic participation, and social cohesion," he elaborated.
In his account, the Commission had previously engaged with the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II, both located in Osun State.
Additionally, he noted engagements with the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in Lagos State, and the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Prof. Amupitan elaborated on the objectives of the South-East tour.
"Our engagement in Enugu and throughout the South-East zone is directed toward assessing our operational capacity in the region and evaluating the preparedness of field personnel at all levels, including the Registration Area (Ward) level," he stated.
He said the tour followed a series of operational tests under his leadership, including three off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, one Federal Capital Territory Area Council election and 16 bye-elections across the country.
The Chairman noted that each of the exercises had helped the Commission to refine election logistics, early poll openings and technological deployments.
He recalled that the Commission, a few days ago in Abuja, hosted a world press conference and National Stakeholders Engagement to mark 100 days to the first ballot of the 2027 general election, where it reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, procedural integrity and strict adherence to its statutory schedule.
2027: INEC Chairman, Amupitan tasks South East traditional rulers on peaceful election