INEC Holds Lagos Retreat to Prepare Leadership for 2027 Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun preparations for the 2027 General Election with a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat for its newly appointed leadership. The event, which runs from 9th to 10th January 2026, is taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State. The retreat brought together INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, Directors, and other senior officials. Lagos, described by the host Resident Electoral Commissioner Prof. Ayobami Salami as Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of its most politically active states, was chosen as the venue for its symbolic significance. Prof. Salami said the retreat is aimed at strengthening leadership capacity, improving institutional understanding, and ensuring operational readiness ahead of the 2027 elections. “As we advance towards the 2027 General Election, early planning, strategic coordination and institutional cohesion cannot be overstated,” he said. In his opening remarks, Prof. Amupitan described participants as “custodians of the will of the Nigerian people,” emphasising that strategy must be matched with capable personnel and effective execution. He commended INEC staff for the smooth conduct of the November 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, calling it a signal of the Commission’s readiness for future challenges. The Chairman highlighted upcoming electoral milestones, including the FCT Area Council Elections in February 2026 and off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, which he said would test and refine INEC’s processes, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Prof. Amupitan reiterated the Commission’s commitment to conducting elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive. He also stressed the importance of engaging young, tech-savvy voters through transparency and technology. “The rule of law is not a suggestion; it is our operating system,” he said. Over the two-day retreat, participants are expected to discuss 17 thematic areas, including logistics, personnel management, continuous voter registration, election security, inter-agency collaboration, political party regulation, and internal democracy. Mrs. Helen Omozua Ajayi, INEC’s Director of Planning and Monitoring, said the retreat is also designed to induct new members into the Commission’s framework, familiarise them with election laws and administrative procedures, and encourage experience-sharing among state-level officials. Prof. Amupitan urged participants to use the retreat to foster unity and break organisational silos, adding: “Our goal is not just to conduct elections, but to make INEC the best Election Management Body in Africa—a beacon of integrity, technological efficiency and democratic values.”
| 2026-01-09 12:39:30