The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have admitted that the commission faces a significant “trust deficit” with the public, calling on the media to help reshape the national narrative ahead of a busy cycle of polls ahead.
Joash Amupitan, Chairman of INEC, disclose this during a courtesy visit from the Executive Committee of the INEC Press Corps in Abuja on Wednesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
It was the first formal meeting between the commission’s leadership and the INEC Press Corps since he was appointed the INEC Chairman by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the late 2025.
Amupitan commended the journalists for their professional support, noting that the commission remains acutely aware of the skepticism often held by the Nigerian electorate.
He urged the media to partner with INEC in ensuring that the transparency of the electoral process is effectively communicated to the 200 million-strong population.
The Chairman of the Press Corps, Segun Ojumu, who led the delegation, praised the transparent manner in which Amupitan has managed the commission since taking office.
Ojumu was accompanied by John Onah, Assistant Secretary of the Press Corps and Chux Ukwuatu, the welfare director.
Ojumu described Nigerian elections as a “huge logistical challenge” that requires the collaboration of all stakeholders to succeed.
The meeting comes as INEC ramps up preparations for several high-stakes elections. Nigeria is currently following a revised electoral roadmap following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
The commission has scheduled the next general election in early January 16, 2027 for Presidential and National Assembly elections. February 6, 2027 for Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
Before the general elections, the commission faces critical “litmus tests” in two southwest states of Ekiti and Ogun where the electoral cycles are out of sync with the rest of the country. While Ekiti State is scheduled for June 20, 2026. Osun State is scheduled for August 8, 2026.
Amupitan, succeeded Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and pledges to deliver “free, fair, and inclusive” polls in the country.
