2027: INEC vows to build on Osun election gains

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to enhance its electoral processes for the upcoming 2027 general elections, buoyed by positive feedback on the recent Osun State governorship poll. Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information/Voter Education Committee, made the commitment during a solidarity visit by a delegation of stakeholders at the commission's headquarters in Abuja.

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We are committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections.

The delegation, representing various political parties, civil society organizations, community leaders, youth, and women groups, visited to commend INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan and the commission for their conduct of the August 15 Osun governorship election. The group's leader, Obed Agu, stated that the visit was an expression of appreciation, noting that the Osun election had significantly renewed confidence in Nigeria's electoral system. They had reviewed the election's preparations, conduct, security, results management, and stakeholder engagement during a post-election discourse.

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As you agree with me, all the past elections we’ve had, each one has always been better than the one before.

Haruna emphasized INEC's unwavering commitment to free, fair, and credible elections, asserting that each election conducted by the commission has surpassed the previous one. He assured the delegation that INEC would leverage the lessons learned from the Osun election to achieve further improvements in 2027. Agu highlighted that the commendation was not tied to the election's outcome but to the observed institutional independence, engagement with political parties, and adherence to timelines, which he said earned Prof. Amupitan their confidence. The delegation also noted the election's over 40 percent voter turnout and the real-time uploading of results, which allowed Nigerians to follow the process closely.

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So consistent with that, God willing, the next general election, there will be an improvement on Osun and ultimately, the general election itself next year, there will be an improvement.