ABUJA — The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has described Saturday’s legislative by-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as critical operational benchmarks for testing the nation’s electoral infrastructure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan stated this at the INEC headquarters in Abuja while presiding over operations at the commission’s National Situation Room during the by-elections.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, quoted Amupitan as stressing that no electoral contest should be regarded as trivial or routine.
The legislative by-elections were conducted in Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State; Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State; Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies of Bauchi State; and Udu State Constituency of Delta State.
According to the INEC chairman, every off-cycle election provides the commission with an opportunity to test and strengthen its systems ahead of nationwide polls.
“These four by-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 general election.
“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary by-election.
“Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 general elections, allowing us to continuously audit our logistics framework, stress-test our technological deployment and evaluate administrative field readiness,” he said.
Amupitan also reassured Nigerians of the commission’s commitment to electoral integrity, saying operational bottlenecks identified before the polls were promptly addressed.
“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution.
“Whatever administrative or field challenges arose before the day of the elections, the commission was able to nip them in the bud effectively.
“We remain committed to refining our processes so that every subsequent exercise reflects higher standards of efficiency and public confidence,” he said.
The INEC chairman commended members of the Situation Room, particularly the technical team, for ensuring effective monitoring of the multi-state exercise and enabling the commission to assess field performance.
Amupitan, accompanied by national commissioners and senior management officials, monitored the by-elections as operational reports were received from various field locations.