The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is seeking the support of traditional rulers to promote peace and mobilise citizens for greater participation in the 2027 General Elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and the Lagos Traditional Council at Iga Idunganran, Lagos Island.
Professor Amupitan formally enlisted the traditional institution as a partner in safeguarding the electoral process, stressing that technology alone cannot guarantee a successful election without the cooperation of citizens and community leaders.
He urged the Oba of Lagos to use his moral authority to encourage eligible residents to complete voter registration, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and turn out to vote when the elections are held.
The INEC Chairman also sought the monarch’s support in maintaining peace among community leaders, market associations, youth groups and political actors, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of 2027.
He noted that Nigeria’s National Register of Voters is approaching 100 million, saying the scale of the electoral exercise requires not only INEC’s technical preparedness but also the cooperation and support of traditional institutions.
Professor Amupitan further appealed to the monarch to counsel politicians to focus on issues and policies rather than insults and personality attacks.
Responding, Oba Akiolu welcomed the appeal and pledged the traditional institution’s support for peaceful democratic participation.
The monarch urged politicians to move away from short-term patronage and embrace genuine capacity building and issue-based campaigns, while warning against hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric.
Oba Akiolu also called on traditional rulers to guide their communities and encourage citizens to participate actively in elections.
He urged INEC to remain honest and steadfast in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities and called on the Federal Government to provide full and timely funding for the 2027 elections.