The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, has appealed to traditional rulers in Kogi State to collaborate with the commission in ensuring peaceful, transparent and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the appeal on Thursday while addressing traditional rulers representing the 21 local government areas of the state during an engagement held at Edge Drive Hotel, Lokoja.
The INEC chairman, who is a native of Kogi State, explained that his visit was aimed at evaluating the level of preparedness of the commission’s workforce and facilities ahead of the 2027 general elections and the forthcoming off-cycle governorship poll.
He stressed that INEC was taking deliberate steps to improve its operational efficiency through infrastructural development and the deployment of modern technological equipment to facilitate credible and hitch-free electoral activities.
Amupitan also called on traditional rulers to utilise their positions of influence and strong connections with local communities to encourage peaceful electoral participation, improve voter sensitization and promote public confidence in legitimate election results.
The Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Shehu Wahab, who also addressed the gathering, expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers for their continued partnership and cooperation with INEC.
Wahab emphasised that the traditional institution remained an important stakeholder in the electoral process, noting that its involvement was essential to maintaining peace, mobilising eligible voters and encouraging citizens to participate meaningfully in democratic activities.
Responding individually, the traditional rulers assured the commission of their readiness to support its activities, pledging to communicate the INEC chairman’s appeal to their respective communities. They also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peaceful elections and supporting efforts to achieve transparency and credibility across the state.
In a related development, Amupitan earlier inaugurated the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) storage centre at the commission’s state headquarters in Lokoja. The facility forms part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to improve its infrastructure and strengthen its capacity ahead of upcoming electoral exercises.
