ABUJA – The head of Nigeria’s electoral body has vowed to sanction officials following “unsatisfactory” delays during recent local polls, warning that inefficiency and “voter apathy” remain significant hurdles ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking in the capital on Wednesday, Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), delivered a blunt assessment of the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and several state bye-elections. While the Chairman praised the prompt electronic upload of results—with over 93% appearing on the public IReV portal by Sunday afternoon—he expressed dismay that less than half of polling units opened on time.
‘Consequences’ for Delays
“Only 45% of polling units in the FCT opened by 8:30 am,” Professor Amupitan told Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). “This fell short of our standards. It undermines public confidence and it will not be tolerated.”The Chairman confirmed that staff in parts of Abuja have already been queried for “logistical sabotage,” while a transport contractor in the Kwali Area Council has been blacklisted. The warning comes at a pivotal moment for Nigerian democracy. The country recently enacted the Electoral Act 2026, forcing INEC to revise its roadmap for the 2027 general election. Prof. Amupitan noted that a fresh “Voter Revalidation Exercise” would soon commence to “sanitize” the national register.
Key Takeaways from the INEC Briefing
Voter Turnout: Participation in the FCT rose to 15% from a record low of 9.4% in 2022, a “modest improvement” that officials say still requires urgent attention.
Security: While the elections were largely peaceful, “thugs” reportedly invaded collation centers in Kuje and Kwali, an issue the Chairman said must be addressed through better coordination with police.
Technological Safeguards: New software updates to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) now automatically flag “over-voting,” preventing the entry of mathematically inconsistent results.
Polling Unit Confusion: Addressing rumors of “voter migration,” the Chairman clarified that no voters were moved in 2026. He admitted, however, that many citizens still struggle to locate units redistributed in 2022, prompting a directive for intensified voter education.
Deepening Grassroots Democracy
The meeting also marked the swearing-in of Dr. Chukwu Chukwuemeka Joseph as the REC for Abia State and a high-level visit from the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECON). FOSIECON Chairman, Mamman Nda Eri, called for a “structured partnership” between the national body and state commissions, which oversee local government elections. He emphasized the need for sharing technology like the BVAS to ensure credibility at the “grassroots level.”Professor Amupitan concluded by reminding his commissioners that the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun would serve as a final litmus test before the nationwide polls in 2027.”The credibility of the Commission is built not on declarations, but on performance,” he said. “Excellence is not optional; it is mandatory.”
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