2027: INEC warns 36 states, FCT against election lapses

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against any operational errors ahead of the 2027 general election. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the warning during the opening of a two-day strategic workshop for the commission's administrative secretaries in Lagos on Monday, September 7, 2026. The warning comes as INEC enters a crucial six-month period of preparations for the 2027 polls.

Amupitan stressed the need for uniformity in the commission's administrative operations across all states. He emphasized that fragmented interpretations of administrative duties and disjointed operational practices could not be tolerated. He directed the administrative secretaries to enhance coordination and adhere to standard procedures to ensure that any administrative failure does not impact the election process.

The workshop, described by Amupitan as an election-focused "operational boot camp," aims to assess INEC's readiness for the 2027 polls and pinpoint areas requiring improvement. He also mentioned that the commission would draw lessons from the recent Osun governorship election to bolster its operations for the nationwide vote.

Amupitan highlighted that coordinating a general election across the entire country would necessitate a different level of coordination compared to managing an election within a single state. Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, Professor Ayobami Salami, encouraged the administrative secretaries to utilize the workshop to identify weaknesses in their current processes and devise practical solutions before the election.

Salami also underscored the importance of improved coordination between administrative and technical teams, particularly in managing personnel, logistics, finance, and infrastructure.