The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, has noted that preparations for the Osun governorship election also formed part of the commission’s broader plans for the 2027 general elections, describing the state as strategically important in Nigeria’s electoral calendar.

Prof Amupitan made this disclosure on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, where he appealed for the support of traditional institutions in promoting peace before, during and after the election.

According to him, “Osun is special in the democratic structure of Nigeria because it is the last major off-cycle election before the general elections. We now see it as a mirror through which we can measure our preparations for the 2027 general elections.”

He also maintained that the commission has put in place extensive measures to ensure a successful August 15 governorship election in Osun State and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering a peaceful, credible and transparent governorship election in the State. 

The INEC chairman said the commission had prioritised peaceful conduct, efficient logistics, timely commencement of voting, transparent result management and prompt declaration of results as critical components of the election.

According to him, “INEC had also introduced additional measures to enhance voter participation, including the extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection period and the introduction of online voter registration initiatives.

“We have the responsibility and duty to do everything within our power to ensure that the election is peaceful.

“We are doing everything possible in INEC and putting a lot of measures in place, like the extension of the collection of PVCs and the introduction of online registration, to make sure the election is free, fair, inclusive and credible.”

Addressing concerns over political tension in the state, Amupitan disclosed that INEC had been working closely with security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure adequate deployment of personnel and prevent violence during the election.

He stressed that no political contest was worth the loss of human lives, saying, “The blood of any resident of the state is not worth shedding. INEC will do everything possible to ensure the safety of voters and our staff on election day.”

The INEC chairman appealed to the Ataoja to use his influence to encourage politicians and their supporters to embrace peace, noting that the monarch’s voice carried significant weight across Osogbo and beyond.

“We appeal to the Ataoja of Osogbo to help us intervene in order to avoid further regret and the futility of fighting ourselves. Osun is a shining example to other states, but what will they learn if there is violence and bloodshed? INEC is committed to ensuring that a peaceful election is achieved and that the people of the state freely choose their preferred candidate on 15 August,” he added.

Amupitan expressed concern that election-related violence could discourage voter turnout, warning that attempts to intimidate the electorate would undermine democratic participation.

Responding, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, welcomed the INEC chairman and called for a peaceful, free and fair governorship election across Osun State. 

Oba Oyetunji thanked the commission’s leadership for the visit and prayed for wisdom, strength and divine guidance in carrying out its constitutional responsibility.

Earlier, retired Justice Moshood Adekunle Adeigbe, the Asiwaju of Osogbo, described the assignment before the new INEC chairman as significant, particularly because of the importance of the forthcoming Osun governorship election. 

Justice Adeigbe also assured the INEC chairman that the Ataoja’s palace would continue to promote peaceful coexistence and encourage political stakeholders to embrace dialogue despite prevailing security concerns. 

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, for the 2027 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that the power to ensure credible elections lies with the Nigerian people, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will only act according to the resolve of the electorate.

Obi spoke with journalists on Friday after attending the burial service of the late Pa Simon Okorie Abaa, father of the NDC senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South, Chief Linus Okorie, at Isiama Primary School, Onicha Igboeze, in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Speaking on preparations for the 2027 general election, Obi said his confidence was not in INEC alone but in Nigerians’ determination to defend their votes.

“It is not about confidence in INEC. Do I still have confidence in the people? Because it is the people that will determine what INEC will do. If the people insist that their votes will count, their votes will count.

“It is for Nigerians to look at what is happening in the country today and ask themselves what the future holds for our children in this enterprise called Nigeria. Are we going to continue in this direction? Anybody talking about changing Nigeria today is making the ultimate sacrifice because we cannot continue like this,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor lamented the worsening economic situation, saying poverty and hunger had reached alarming levels.

“Every day poverty is increasing. Every day hunger is increasing. You don’t even need World Bank reports to know this because you can see it in the villages.

“They are saying that about 70 million Nigerians are facing acute hunger. What are we going to do about it? Are we going to continue like this? No. That is not possible,” he added.

On concerns that opposition supporters may face intimidation and harassment during the elections, Obi said Nigerians were already suffering from economic hardship.

“For me, every Nigerian is already being harassed by hunger. People are being harassed by the worsening situation in the country. Everybody is affected.

“It is time for Nigerians to tell those who are harassing us that enough is enough,” he said.

Obi described his relationship with Linus Okorie as longstanding, recalling that they had worked together in the Labour Party before joining the NDC.

“We have worked together before in the Labour Party and now we are in the NDC. That shows we have a close relationship. We are here today to pay our last respects to his late father.

“I pray that God Almighty, who gave Papa a long life and has now called him home, will grant him eternal rest and give the family and all of us the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. May God continue to bless the family.”