Nigeria
INEC raises concerns over trust deficit, seeks Peace Committee support for credible 2027 polls
FCT — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the National Peace Committee (NPC) and other relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts to rebuild public trust and promote peaceful participation as the move towards the 2027 general elections.
Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), the INEC Chairman, made this appeal on Monday, 2nd of March 2026 during a stakeholder briefing and presentation of the Annotated Peace Accord which was organised by the National Peace Committee, NPC in Abuja.
The high-level event brought together leaders of several political parties, heads of security agencies, and civil society organisations, underscoring a shared commitment to peaceful, credible, and legitimate elections across board in Nigeria.
Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, was represented by the committee’s convener, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah ( the Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto).
Trust deficit threatens democratic legitimacy world over
“We appeal to the National Peace Committee to help us in the area of building trust. The trust deficit is palpable everywhere,” The INEC Chairman, said.
He went further to say, “If voters will not participate, then whoever emerges… it is also in our own interest that everybody continues to participate. We’ll get it right one day.”
While speaking, he noted that the presence of commissioners, directors, and senior management staff of the commission at the engagement reflected the commission’s commitment to electoral reform and democratic consolidation.
He described Nigeria’s electoral environment as diverse, complex, and highly competitive, while stressing that democracy must rest not only on legality but also on legitimacy.
“Let the process be so transparent that whoever emerges will not only have legality but legitimacy,” Amupitan said, adding that the commission welcomes scrutiny and constructive criticism.
The INEC Chairman emphasised that delivering credible elections is not solely the responsibility of INEC, urging political parties to strengthen internal discipline and voter mobilisation, noting that declining turnout undermines democratic credibility.
On measures to strengthen credibility of elections, the INEC chairman outlined steps being taken to enhance transparency and results management, noting that new safeguards have been introduced and tested in recent elections, although operational details were not made public.
He also warned that misinformation during elections erodes confidence and fuels tension among the voting population. He added that INEC is working with security agencies and relevant institutions to counter disinformation and ensure accurate and consistent information are reported.
He reiterated that vote trading and other electoral offences remain criminal under Nigerian law and called on law enforcement agencies to expedite investigations and prosecutions.
The INEC Chairman also disclosed that INEC is intensifying efforts to sanitise the voter register, acknowledging public outcry about duplication and outdated records.
Peace Committee reaffirms commitment
In his welcome address, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah reaffirmed the National Peace Committee’s commitment to dialogue, mediation, and confidence-building. He noted that since 2015, the Peace Accord has served as a stabilising instrument in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He described the Annotated Peace Accord as an enhanced framework for preventive engagement, while maintaining that it provides clearer guidance for stakeholders.
