LAGOS — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has enlisted the support of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, and the Lagos Traditional Council to promote peaceful and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC is seeking the traditional institution’s support to increase voter participation, encourage eligible residents to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and promote peace among political actors and communities before, during and after the elections.

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The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the appeal on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to Oba Akiolu at the Iga Idunganran Palace, Lagos Island.

The visit was part of activities marking the conclusion of INEC’s South-West Zonal Readiness Assessment and Staff Interactive Session.

INEC: Traditional Rulers Critical to Peaceful Elections

Amupitan said preparations for the 2027 elections could not be left to INEC alone, stressing that the cooperation of traditional rulers and other influential institutions would be critical to the success of the electoral process.

He formally appealed to Oba Akiolu and the Lagos Traditional Council to partner with the commission in safeguarding peace and democracy.

“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.

The INEC chairman stressed that elections should be viewed as a peaceful expression of citizens’ choices rather than a trigger for violence and division.

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

According to him, although INEC is deploying technology to improve the electoral process, technology alone cannot guarantee a successful democracy.

“Technology alone cannot build a democracy; people do,” Amupitan added.

Amupitan Urges Oba to Mobilise Voters

The INEC chairman appealed to Oba Akiolu to use his influence to encourage eligible Lagos residents to participate actively in the 2027 elections.

He specifically asked the traditional institution to mobilise citizens to complete their voter registration where necessary and collect their PVCs.

Amupitan said increased voter participation would contribute significantly to the credibility of the elections, particularly as Nigeria’s voter register continues to expand.

He disclosed that the National Register of Voters was approaching 100 million, noting that organising elections across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would require broad cooperation beyond INEC’s technical preparations.

“Not just technical readiness from INEC, but the total cooperation, peace, and moral support of our most revered traditional institutions,” he said.

Traditional Institutions Can Prevent Election Violence

Amupitan described traditional rulers as permanent anchors within their communities whose influence often transcends political parties and electoral cycles.

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

He urged Oba Akiolu to engage politicians across party lines and counsel them to avoid inflammatory rhetoric as political activities intensify ahead of 2027.

The INEC chairman encouraged political actors to focus their campaigns on policies and programmes rather than personal attacks.

“Let them debate policies, not personalities,” he said.

INEC Lists Three Major Requests

Amupitan said INEC was seeking three major areas of support from the traditional institution.

First, he requested the royal blessing and support of Oba Akiolu for INEC officials, staff and ad-hoc personnel who would be deployed for election duties.

Second, he asked the monarch to encourage eligible residents to register and collect their PVCs.

Third, he urged the traditional institution to continue promoting peace among community leaders, market associations, youth organisations and political actors.

The commission has consistently stressed that credible elections require cooperation among government institutions, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and voters.

Oba Akiolu Demands Issue-Based Campaigns

Responding, Oba Akiolu welcomed INEC’s request and called for a new approach to political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.

The monarch urged politicians to move away from short-term political patronage and concentrate on empowering 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,” he said.

Oba Akiolu also warned political actors against hate speech and inflammatory statements during election campaigns.

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

He said candidates should be judged by the programmes and policies they intend to offer Nigerians rather than their ability to attack political opponents.

Monarch Urges INEC to Remain Impartial

The Oba of Lagos also urged INEC leadership to remain committed to its constitutional responsibilities and maintain impartiality throughout the electoral process.

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

Akiolu further appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate and timely funding for INEC to enable the commission to organise credible elections across the country.

He urged the government to equip the commission with the financial and logistical resources necessary to discharge its constitutional mandate effectively.

“Ensure full and timely funding for elections, equipping INEC with every resource required to execute its constitutional mandate flawlessly,” the monarch said.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, INEC’s engagement with traditional institutions underscores the growing emphasis on voter mobilisation, peaceful political participation and collaboration with community leaders in ensuring a credible electoral process.