By Peter Omopo
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has called on media organisations to play a more active role in addressing electoral misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving members of the INEC Press Corps, in what was described as the first formal engagement between the commission’s leadership and the media group since his appointment in late 2025.
According to a statement made available on Thursday, the INEC chairman acknowledged that the commission is grappling with a significant trust deficit among Nigerians and stressed the need for collaboration with the media to rebuild public confidence.
He commended journalists for their continued professional support but noted that scepticism remains widespread among the electorate. He urged media organisations to help communicate the transparency of the electoral process effectively to the country’s large population.
Speaking on behalf of the Press Corps, Chairman Segun Ojumu praised Amupitan’s leadership, describing his management of the commission as transparent. He noted that conducting elections in Nigeria presents a major logistical challenge that requires cooperation among all stakeholders.
The meeting comes as INEC intensifies preparations for a series of key elections under a revised electoral roadmap following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
The commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, after adjusting an earlier date that conflicted with the Ramadan period. Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are set to follow on February 6, 2027.
Ahead of the general elections, INEC is also preparing for off-cycle governorship polls in Ekiti State on June 20, 2026, and Osun State on August 8, 2026. These elections are widely regarded as critical tests of the commission’s readiness.
Amupitan, who succeeded former INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has pledged to deliver free, fair, and inclusive elections as Nigeria approaches the next electoral cycle.
