By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has called on the media to support efforts to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, admitting that the Commission is grappling with a significant “trust deficit.”
Amupitan made the appeal in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the INEC Press Corps recently, marking his first formal engagement with the group since assuming office in late 2025.
Addressing the delegation, the INEC chairman acknowledged the skepticism among Nigerians regarding electoral processes and urged journalists to play a more active role in reshaping public perception.
“The Commission remains acutely aware of the trust deficit with the electorate. We must work together to ensure that the transparency of our processes is effectively communicated to Nigerians,” he said.
Amupitan commended members of the press corps for their professionalism and continued coverage of electoral activities, noting that credible information dissemination is critical to strengthening democratic institutions in a country of over 200 million people.
Earlier, the Chairman of the INEC Press Corps, Segun Ojumu, lauded the leadership of the Commission under Amupitan, describing its operations as transparent since his appointment.
Ojumu, who led the delegation alongside Assistant Secretary John Onah and Welfare Director Chux Ukwuatu
, noted that conducting elections in Nigeria remains a “huge logistical challenge” that requires collaboration among stakeholders, including the media, security agencies, and civil society groups.
The meeting comes as INEC intensifies preparations for a series of key elections following the implementation of the Electoral Act 2026.
Under the revised timetable, presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
Ahead of the general elections, the Commission is also set to conduct off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State on June 20, 2026, and Osun State on August 8, 2026—polls widely seen as critical tests of INEC’s readiness.
Amupitan, who succeeded Mahmood Yakubu, reiterated his commitment to delivering “free, fair, and inclusive” elections, assuring Nigerians that the Commission would continue to strengthen transparency and credibility as the country approaches the 2027 electoral cycle.
