The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that INEC has no candidate or political party to favour.

Amupitan made the position known during a stakeholder engagement visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of efforts by the electoral commission to strengthen collaboration with traditional institutions and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.

The INEC chairman’s remarks were contained in a post shared on the commission’s official X handle on Sunday.

Amupitan said the commission’s responsibility was to conduct elections in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and other applicable regulations, rather than advance the interests of any political party or candidate.

He assured stakeholders that INEC would maintain its independence and impartiality throughout the electoral process.

According to him, “INEC has no candidate and no political party,” underscoring the commission’s institutional position as an electoral umpire rather than a participant in the political contest.

The visit to the Emir of Zazzau formed part of INEC’s wider stakeholder engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections, with traditional rulers expected to play a role in voter education, peaceful participation and the promotion of credible electoral processes within their communities.

The commission has repeatedly stated that stakeholder collaboration would be important to the successful conduct of the 2027 elections, particularly in promoting peaceful elections and encouraging eligible Nigerians to participate in the electoral process.

In February, Amupitan said INEC remained committed to acting impartially and professionally, guided by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its regulations and guidelines.

He also called on political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries and urged candidates, supporters and voters to maintain peaceful conduct throughout the electoral cycle.

The commission has also released its timetable for the 2027 general elections. Its published schedule lists the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.

As political parties and prospective candidates intensify preparations for the elections, INEC is expected to continue its engagements with traditional institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media and other stakeholders.

The commission has identified voter education, stakeholder engagement, the strengthening of electoral technology and the maintenance of an accurate voter register among the areas requiring sustained attention ahead of the elections.

Amupitan’s latest assurance comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum, with parties and aspirants positioning themselves for the various elective offices.

The INEC chairman’s statement therefore places emphasis on the commission’s stated role as an impartial electoral umpire and its responsibility to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates participating in the elections.

Senator representing Osun East, Olubiyi Fadeyi, has dismissed claims that his bid to return to the Senate in the 2027 general elections has been terminated by the recent Supreme Court judgment on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Fadeyi, in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Saturday, described reports suggesting that he had been disqualified as speculative and unfounded.

The Supreme Court had, on Thursday, upheld an appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against a Court of Appeal judgment which had voided parts of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to political party primaries and membership registers.

A seven-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, set aside the Court of Appeal’s decision, which had favoured the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court.

The Supreme Court held that Sections 77(5) and 84 of the Electoral Act do not conflict with the 1999 Constitution. The court also awarded N2 million in costs against the ZLP.

In two other judgments, the apex court dismissed separate appeals filed by the Social Democratic Party and the Young Progressive Party in their respective cases against INEC.

Reacting to suggestions that the judgment had ended his ambition to return to the Senate, Fadeyi attributed the claims to his political opponents, alleging that they were concerned about his acceptance ahead of the 2027 election.

He maintained that the process through which he emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate was conducted in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the party’s internal rules.

“For clarity sake, there is no clear evidence Fadeyi’s disqualification from any court sitting, hence, the report of his alleged disqualification remains speculative and unfounded,” the statement said.

Fadeyi further stated that the process through which the PDP ticket was given to him for a second term had been properly conducted and approved by the relevant party structures.

“The processes to bestow the PDP ticket on Senator Fadeyi for second term in office is clear, legal and approved by all relevant party executives,” he said.

According to him, the PDP complied with the applicable electoral laws in selecting its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

“For emphasis, the PDP as a party followed the electoral law for all her party candidates in 2027 general elections,” he added.

Fadeyi also stressed that neither he nor the PDP was a party to the legal dispute that produced the Supreme Court judgment.

“For the record, neither the PDP as party or Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi Ph.D are parties to the suit, however, Zenith Labour Party, ZLP and Young Progressive Party, YPP are main parties to the judgment,” he said.

The senator further cited the views of constitutional lawyers who, according to him, had maintained that the Supreme Court judgment did not invalidate the names of candidates already published by INEC.

He said the matter concerning his candidacy remained an internal affair of the PDP and insisted that the party had affirmed him as its authentic candidate for the 2027 election.

The Supreme Court judgment has generated political interpretations among parties and candidates affected by the provisions under consideration, but Fadeyi maintained that there was no court order disqualifying him from contesting the Osun senatorial election.

He therefore dismissed the reports of his alleged disqualification and maintained that his candidacy remained valid.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election, Dr Oluwole Oluyede, has pledged to work with Governor Biodun Oyebanji to secure a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Oluyede, who is also the convener of the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda, made the commitment when Oyebanji paid him a courtesy visit at his hometown, Ikere Ekiti, on Friday.

The PDP chieftain said his collaboration with the governor was driven by a shared commitment to the development and progress of Ekiti State.

He also expressed support for continuity at the federal level, saying Tinubu should be allowed to continue with what he described as his “good works.”

Oluyede commended Oyebanji for his efforts in improving security, infrastructure and human capital development across the state.

He described the governor as “a fantastic gentleman, kind and generous,” while acknowledging his contributions to the development of Ekiti.

“He is working hard for a greater and more prosperous Ekiti. I commended him about three days ago. He is working hard on security in the state, and his investment in infrastructure is commendable,” Oluyede said.

He added that his meeting with Oyebanji was also aimed at strengthening efforts to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

“Apart from that, our meeting today is to secure the state further. We want to have free, fair and credible general elections.

“We are also working together to deliver a landslide victory for the President, who is doing a fantastic job. The governor is also doing a fantastic job in Ekiti,” he said.

Oluyede attributed the relative peace and security in Ekiti to the state government’s sustained investment in the security sector.

He noted that his relationship with Oyebanji had remained cordial despite their political differences.

“Myself and Governor Oyebanji have been friends for a long time. We were in the same party, we diverged but we stuck together,” he said.

Oyebanji, in his remarks, commended Oluyede for his continued interest in the development of Ekiti State.

The governor said their collaboration was based on a shared desire to promote sustainable development and improve the welfare of residents.

Oyebanji thanked the PDP chieftain for what he described as his “good spirit” and commitment to the state.

He said discussions between them had consistently focused on finding solutions to the challenges facing Ekiti and maintaining peace across the state.

“Anytime I see Dr Oluyede, he is always talking about the development of the state, and that is what binds us together:

the spirit of developing the state, finding solutions to all the problems and working together in maintaining peace in the state,” Oyebanji said.

The governor described Oluyede as one of the most committed Ekiti indigenes he had encountered.

He expressed optimism that their collaboration would produce visible results for the people of the state.

“And I am sure in the next few days, Ekiti people will see the result of our collaboration,” Oyebanji said.

The development comes as political activities and alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with politicians and political groups across the country beginning to announce their positions and alliances.