INEC to politicians on 2027 polls: Your ambitions not worth blood of Nigerians
INEC Promises Arrests, Sanctions for Electoral Violations Ahead of 2027 General Elections
By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to political candidates, declaring that no political ambition is worth the loss of life. The commission pledged to implement arrests and sanctions against any parties, candidates, or their agents who engage in violence, hate speech, or vote-buying in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
Prof. Joash Amupitan, the chairman of INEC, delivered the warning during a strategic workshop for editors held in Abuja on Monday. He emphasized that as campaigning intensifies, political parties and campaign managers must avoid any resort to violence or inflammatory language.
“Democracy thrives on the clash of ideas, not the clash of weapons or the proliferation of hate speech,” Amupitan stated. He noted that the commission has established measures to monitor electoral offenses, including a framework to log incidents of political violence and intimidation.
“Any political party or candidate implicated in inciting violence or deploying armed thugs will face direct statutory sanctions and swift prosecution,” he said. “No political office in this country is worth the blood of a single Nigerian.”
Amupitan also shared alarming accounts of recent electoral misconduct, including a candidate allegedly brandishing a firearm during a campaign rally in Kano State, and threats directed at commission officials.
He called on citizens to engage responsibly in the electoral process, reminding them that elections should reflect their civic duties.
In addressing the issue of vote-buying, Amupitan announced a commitment to combat money politics, stressing that treating votes as commodities undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
“The commission is taking an uncompromising stance against vote-buying in all its forms ahead of the 2027 general election,” he said, adding that INEC is collaborating with various government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to tackle these issues.
Regarding voter registration, Amupitan shared that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) has successfully registered over 10.6 million new voters since August 2025, bringing the total number of registered voters to over 103 million.
To bolster the transparency of the electoral process, INEC has acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices. The improved eEC8A system is designed to digitize and secure polling unit result sheets while directly uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
Amupitan also disclosed that in response to security concerns, the commission may provide bulletproof vehicles to staff in volatile areas. He mentioned that staff from several northern states requested protective equipment and transportation due to security threats.
Additionally, he highlighted the introduction of a new salary structure for electoral staff, with a 150% increase in operational budgets effective from July 1, 2026.
In remarks, Nigerian Guild of Editors President Eze Anaba noted the importance of fostering public trust in the electoral process. He acknowledged the media’s critical role in delivering accurate information and maintaining transparency in elections, especially against the backdrop of misinformation.
Anaba underscored the necessity for collaboration between INEC and the media, emphasizing that a healthy relationship built on mutual respect and open communication is essential for the public’s trust in the electoral process.
