Abdulsalami urges INEC to maintain impartiality ahead of Osun polls, 2027 general elections

Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar has called on Nigeria's electoral body to uphold impartiality and justice for all political parties, warning against succumbing to political pressure. Abubakar issued the charge during a courtesy visit from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Joash Amupitan, and his national commissioners at his residence in Minna, Niger State.

Abubakar, who also visited former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, emphasized the crucial nature of INEC's responsibilities, particularly with the upcoming Osun governorship election and the 2027 general elections on the horizon. He acknowledged the difficulty of the INEC chairman's position, noting that the commission often becomes a target for blame when elections do not go as expected by political actors.

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Your appointment is very critical to our democratic setting. With the politicians, you need to do a lot to gain their confidence because whatever you and your commissioners do, you will stand accused of bias one way or another. If anybody in the political system loses an election, you become the whipping child. They will find excuses to claim that INEC has done something wrong.

"Your appointment is very critical to our democratic setting," Abubakar told the delegation. "With the politicians, you need to do a lot to gain their confidence because whatever you and your commissioners do, you will stand accused of bias one way or another. If anybody in the political system loses an election, you become the whipping child. They will find excuses to claim that INEC has done something wrong."

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The INEC Chairman cannot do this job alone, but the buck stops with you. I am sure that you will abide by the oath you took. You must do justice to all and sundry. All political parties are yours; you do not have any political party to call your own.

He urged the commission to remain steadfast, ignore distractions, and adhere to their oath of office, acting as an independent arbiter for all parties. Abubakar, who oversaw the 1999 general elections, expressed confidence in the current INEC leadership. The National Peace Committee is set to hold a strategic meeting on July 29 in Abuja, preceding the official signing of the Peace Accord for the Osun governorship election on July 30.

INEC Chairman Amupitan reassured Nigerians that their votes would be counted in both the Osun election and the 2027 polls. He lauded the National Peace Committee's efforts in promoting political harmony and the Peace Accord initiative for providing a platform for political actors to commit to non-violence. The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, with the Peace Accord signing on July 30 in Osogbo.

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Your initiative and intervention, especially the Peace Accord, have not only provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence but have also strengthened the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.