INEC enlists traditional rulers for 2027 election peace, voter mobilisation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has enlisted the traditional institution in Lagos as a strategic partner in its efforts to promote peaceful elections and mobilise citizens for the 2027 General Elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the call on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at Iga Idunganran, Lagos Island.

The visit marked the conclusion of the Commission’s South-West Zonal Readiness Assessment and Staff Interactive Session.

Amupitan urged the Oba of Lagos and the Lagos Traditional Council to use their influence to promote peace, encourage voter participation and mobilise residents to take ownership of the electoral process.

“We are here today to formally enlist Your Royal Majesty and the Lagos Traditional Council as powerful partners in keeping the peace and safeguarding our democracy,” Amupitan said.

“Elections are civic celebrations of free choice, not contests of conflict or violence.”

The INEC Chairman said although the Commission was deploying technology to strengthen the electoral process, technological innovation alone could not guarantee successful elections without the active participation and cooperation of citizens and traditional institutions.

“However, Your Majesty, technology alone cannot build a democracy; people do,” he said.

He appealed to the monarch to use his royal influence to mobilise Lagos residents to participate in the electoral process, particularly by completing voter registration and collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“We humbly request your royal voice to help us mobilise the good people of Lagos. We want them to take ownership of the electoral process, to participate in the electoral process and in particular turn out in their numbers when the time comes. When a father speaks, his children listen,” he said.

Amupitan noted that with Nigeria’s National Register of Voters approaching 100 million, successfully managing elections across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would require more than technical preparedness.

He said INEC also needed “the total cooperation, peace, and moral support” of traditional institutions across the country.

The INEC Chairman described traditional rulers as enduring anchors of society whose influence transcends political cycles.

“Political parties and electoral commissions come and go, but the traditional institution remains the permanent anchor of our communities,” he said.

“You are the true custodians of our culture, peace, and social cohesion.”

Amupitan specifically urged Oba Akiolu to counsel politicians against divisive rhetoric and inflammatory campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We urge you, as a father to all politicians regardless of their party affiliations, to counsel them to focus on issues rather than insults. Let them debate policies, not personalities,” he said.

The INEC Chairman formally sought the monarch’s support in three key areas.

He requested royal blessings for INEC’s leadership, staff and ad-hoc personnel who would be deployed for the 2027 elections; the use of the traditional institution’s moral authority to encourage residents to complete voter registration and collect their PVCs; and continued advocacy for peace among community leaders, market associations, youth groups and political actors.

Responding, Oba Akiolu welcomed the Commission’s appeal and called on politicians to move away from short-term patronage and embrace genuine engagement and empowerment of citizens.

“Politicians must move away from the culture of short-term patronage and focus on genuine capacity building teaching our people how to fish rather than giving them fish,” the monarch said.

He also urged political parties and candidates to make the 2027 campaigns issue-based and free from hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric.

“Campaigning must remain strictly issue-based, free from hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric,” he said.

The monarch identified indiscipline among some youths as a national challenge and charged traditional rulers with a responsibility to promote civic participation and responsible citizenship.

“As Royal Fathers, it is our solemn duty to guide our communities and inspire citizens to turn out in large numbers to exercise their democratic franchise,” he said.

Oba Akiolu also urged the INEC leadership to remain committed to its constitutional responsibilities, calling on the Chairman and National Commissioners to maintain integrity and independence in the conduct of elections.

“I appeal to the Chairman and National Commissioners to remain unwavering, honest, and steadfast in your sacred trust,” he said.

He further called on the Federal Government to provide adequate and timely funding for the Commission.

According to him, INEC should be equipped with all the resources required to effectively and independently discharge its constitutional mandate.

The engagement is part of INEC’s broader preparations for the 2027 General Elections and its efforts to deepen collaboration with traditional institutions and other critical stakeholders in promoting peaceful, credible and participatory elections.