2027: We’ve trust deficit to erase – INEC

2026-03-06 - 15:48

By Egufe Yafugborhi The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is facing a trust deficit in the feelings of Nigerians and therefore working hard to restore that trust with the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan SAN, admitted the challenge on Friday, rising from the three-day workshop of the commission in Ikot Ekpene to monitoring the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in some local government areas in Akwa Ibom State. At the commission’s office in Uyo, Amupitan told the staff, “As we build up to 2027, I want to announce that we are in it together to serve Nigeria and strengthen democracy. “INEC is already having trust deficit. So, whatever we are doing in Abuja, we have to cascade it here. We should work hard to restore the trust. “We know state congresses are ongoing and some of you are part of it. Please any activity you are handling, do it with all honesty and utmost courtesy. “What you are doing today will determine the 2027 elections. If you want to determine the future, you create it. “What we owe Nigerians is free, fair and credible elections. Let their expectations be met. We want Nigerians to begin to believe in INEC, that whoever emerges is the will of the people.” The INEC boss announced the commission would collaborate with the National Population Commission and other relevant agencies to track Nigerians of registrable age and ensure they take advantage of the CVR exercise. INEC, he added, would carry out voters revalidation to have accurate data of those eligible to vote, so “those who have died or whose names are not supposed to be in the register will be removed. The register should be sanitised.” He charged all staff of INEC to take responsibility in creating awareness about the ongoing voter registration and not leave it to the Voter Education and Publicity Unit alone. “Encourage and galvanise them (electorate) to come out while assuring them that their votes will count,” he said. During monitoring of the CVR, Amupitan encountered some complaints in Ikot Ekpene on network disruptions and login problems, assuring the issues would be addressed. He expressed satisfaction over the turnout for exercise, particularly among young people, calling for more voter education as he charged the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Obo Effanga, to engage more youths on voter registration awareness. The Akwa Ibom REC, Effanga, thanked the chairman for making out time to visit polling units and interacting with staff of the commission in the state even as he promised to work diligently to ensure they deliver on their mandate come 2027.