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2027: Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs – INEC Chair, Amupitan appeals to Emir of Zazzau

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has appealed to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, to use his exalted platform to counsel political parties, candidates and their supporters on the imperative of non-violent, issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC chairman made the appeal on Sunday during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of the Commission’s nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement for the 2027 general elections.

“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” Prof. Amupitan said, urging the monarch to “strongly counsel our youth not to allow themselves to be used as tools in the hands of politicians or instruments of political violence and thuggery.”

He further called on the Emir to encourage the people of Zazzau Emirate to actively participate in all stages of the electoral process, from the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to turning out peacefully to vote on election days, stating that “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate.”

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Amupitan explained that the visit was part of the Commission’s established tradition of deep engagement with traditional rulers, recalling similar consultations with the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti during the Ekiti governorship election, more than 50 Osun monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife and the Ataoja of Osogbo, ahead of the Osun governorship election, and the Oba of Lagos and the White Cap Chiefs during the Commission’s South-West Zonal Assessment tour.

He noted that conducting a national election in “Africa’s largest democracy,” with a national voter register rapidly approaching the 100 million mark, required early planning, operational discipline and deep stakeholder engagement.

He added that the Commission had moved away from last-minute logistics in favour of testing, auditing and strengthening its operational readiness well ahead of time.

He disclosed that the Commission had fixed the statutory dates for the 2027 general elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.

He stressed that all administrative, technological and logistical frameworks were being fortified across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The INEC chairman assured the Emirate that under his leadership, “INEC remains unreservedly committed to absolute neutrality, fairness, and transparency,” stating that the Commission had “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”

Responding, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended the INEC chairman for leading the Commission’s delegation to the palace and for providing timely information on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The Emir described the engagement as remarkable and important, noting that the visit had helped the Emirate and its people gain a clearer understanding of the Commission’s preparations and the election calendar.

He identified fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely dissemination of information and the prompt release of results as critical elements for a successful electoral process.

The Emir also urged INEC to address concerns arising from previous elections, particularly the late distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials and technical challenges associated with election technology.

He called for election equipment to be adequately tested before deployment and for election officials and materials to arrive at polling units on time, saying such measures would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

The Emir further 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.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would continue to remain united and sustain democratic governance.

The INEC chairman and his entourage are in Kaduna in continuation of the nationwide readiness assessment and are expected to meet with staff from the North-West states on Monday, September 28, 2026.

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Another Bauchi lawmaker withdraws from 2027 race

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Yusuf Abdullahi Itas, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Itas/Gadau State Constituency, has withdrawn from the 2027 general election.
Itas, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), announced his decision in a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to the party’s state chairman.

In the letter titled, “Withdrawal of Candidature for the Itas/Gadau State Constituency Seat in the Bauchi State House of Assembly,” the lawmaker formally informed the party that he would no longer contest the seat in the 2027 election.

He described his decision as “entirely voluntary and personal”.

He thanked the APM leadership and its members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party.

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Itas also expressed appreciation to residents of the constituency for their encouragement and support during his time in office.

The lawmaker is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petitions and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

His withdrawal comes less than three weeks after the Bauchi Assembly Chief Whip, Musa Wakili Nakwada, also announced that he would not contest the 2027 elections.

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JOS GHETTO STORIES: THE STORIES OF RESILIENCE, DREAMS & GREATNESS

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JOS GHETTO STORIES

Your Beginning Is Not Your Ending.

Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.

From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.

Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.

Some go to school with torn shoes.

Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.

And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.

But we are here to tell them something different.

YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.

Your address does not determine your destiny.

The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.

Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.

Look at Jos.

This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.

John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.

Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.

P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.

Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.

And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 

So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”

We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.

We are looking at potential.

We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.

Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:

“I believe in you.”

That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.

We will tell the stories of the streets.

We will show the struggles.

We will celebrate the talent.

We will listen to the dreams.

And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.

Your parents may not have everything.

Your environment may not be perfect.

You may not have the opportunities others have.

But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.

The world may see a child from the slum.

We see a future star.

The world may see a difficult beginning.

We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.

This is Jos Ghetto Stories.

Stories from the streets.

Stories of struggle.

Stories of hope.

Stories of talent.

Stories of resilience.

Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.

Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.

And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.

JOS EVENTS PRESENTS: JOS GHETTO STORIES.

Your Beginning Is Not Your Ending.

Dream. Believe. Rise.

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