Help Us Rebuild Nigerians’ Trust in Elections, INEC Chairman Tells Media

Jane Salihu

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has called on the media to support the commission in rebuilding public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Amupitan made the appeal in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Executive Committee of the INEC Press Corps, describing the media as a critical partner in addressing what he termed the “trust deficit” between the electoral body and the Nigerian public.

The INEC chairman noted that while the commission is committed to delivering transparent and credible elections, public perception remains a key challenge. He said journalists play an important role in ensuring that the efforts of the commission are properly communicated to Nigerians.

“We must work together to rebuild Nigerians’ trust in the electoral process. The media has a major role to play in shaping public understanding and confidence in what we are doing,” he said.

Amupitan commended members of the INEC Press Corps for their continued coverage of the commission’s activities and urged them to maintain professionalism in reporting electoral matters.

Earlier, the Chairman of the INEC Press Corps, Segun Ojumu, who led the delegation, congratulated Amupitan on his appointment and commended what he described as the transparent manner in which he has managed the commission since assuming office in late 2025.

Ojumu said Nigeria’s elections remain a huge logistical undertaking that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the media, political parties and civil society organisations.

He assured the INEC leadership that the press corps would continue to report the commission’s activities responsibly and contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.

Ojumu was accompanied on the visit by the Assistant Secretary of the Press Corps, John Onah, and the Welfare Director, Chux Ukwuatu.

The meeting comes as INEC intensifies preparations for a series of crucial elections following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.

Under the commission’s electoral timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to hold on January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.

Before the general elections, INEC is also expected to conduct off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State on June 20, 2026, and Osun State on August 8, 2026.

Amupitan, who succeeded former INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has pledged that the commission will conduct free, fair and inclusive elections as Nigeria prepares for the next electoral cycle.