Group urges INEC to remain neutral ahead of 2027 elections
A coalition of civil society organisations under the Democracy and Good Governance Watch Initiative (DGGWI) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and professional as Nigeria begins the countdown to the 2027 general elections.
The coalition also called on eligible voters yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so in line with INEC’s schedule, while urging politicians to refrain from inflammatory statements during campaigns.
The group made the call in a statement issued on Sunday, October 11, following an emergency meeting on the state of the nation. The statement was signed by Nelson Ekujumi and 12 other members of the coalition.
DGGWI commended INEC for launching its 100-day countdown to the 2027 general elections, describing the initiative and the commission’s engagement with Nigerians as signs of its commitment to credible elections.
“Our confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election remains firm and unshaken, given its excellent scorecard since the 2015 general elections and in off-cycle elections since the assumption into office of Prof. Joash Amupitan in 2025,” the group said.
It urged the electoral body to sustain its commitment to conducting credible elections despite what it described as attempts by electoral losers and their supporters to discredit the commission.
“As we countdown with INEC and the Nigerian people to the 2027 general elections, we call on it to remain neutral, professional, determined, focused and committed to its constitutional mandate,” the statement added.
The coalition also expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of personnel who died in the October 5 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
