Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to National Peace Committee (NPC) and other critical stakeholders to intensify efforts to rebuild public trust and strengthen peaceful participation in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupita, SAN, made the appeal yesterday at the stakeholders’ Briefing and Presentation of the Annotated Peace Accord in Abuja.
The event brought together leaders of political parties, heads of security agencies, and civil society organisations, underscoring broad-based commitment to peaceful and credible elections.
Former Head of State and Chairman of NPC, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, was represented at the event by Convener of the peace committee, Most Revd. (Dr.) Mathew Hassan Kukah.
Amupitan, in a statement by INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, underscored the urgency of restoring confidence in the electoral system, describing the prevailing trust deficit as a major concern for the commission.
The INEC chairman described Nigeria’s electoral landscape as diverse, complex, and highly competitive, stressing that democratic growth must be anchored not only on legality but also legitimacy.
He stated, “So for us, we appeal to the National Peace Committee to help us in the area of building trust. The trust deficit is such that anywhere you go, it’s palpable.
“If voters will not participate, then whoever emerges…it is also in our own interest that everybody continues to participate. We’ll get it right one day.
“Let the process be so transparent that whoever emerges will not only have legality but legitimacy.”
Amupitan added that the commission was open to scrutiny and constructive criticism.
He stated, “Constitutionally, INEC is the custodian of Nigerian democracy and elections. Whatever comments are made, we don’t get angry. We take them, process them and see how we can improve.”
Amupitan emphasised that while INEC continued to refine its processes, the responsibility of credible elections could not rest on the commission alone.
He called on political parties to strengthen voter mobilisation and internal discipline, stating that sustained civic engagement is vital to reversing declining turnout.
Earlier, Abdulsalami reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to providing a neutral platform for dialogue, mediation, and confidence-building.
He stated that since 2015, the Peace Accord had served as a stabilising instrument in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He described the Annotated Peace Accord as a strengthened framework designed to provide clarity, guidance, and preventive engagement among stakeholders.
“The responsibility of safeguarding our democracy rests with all of us,” he stated, calling for sustained collaboration, restraint, and responsible conduct from political actors, institutions, and citizens.
