The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Friday, assured Nigerians that their votes will count in the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd.), at his residence in Minna, Niger State.

The INEC chairman led a delegation comprising of the National Commissioners, the Secretary of the Commission, Directors and his Technical aides.

He described Gen. Abubakar as “the father of democracy in Nigeria”, noting that his transition to civil rule in 1999 marked a defining moment in the country’s democratic history.

Amupitan said INEC regarded the former head of state “not merely as a statesman, but as a pillar of support for the INEC.”

He also commended Abubakar’s role as the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, describing its Peace Accord initiative as “a moralising influence on Nigeria’s political ecosystem.”

Amupitan said the initiative had provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence, thereby strengthening “the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.”

The INEC chairman, who described the visit as “a pilgrimage of appreciation” for Abubakar’s contributions to peaceful coexistence, peaceful elections and democratic stability, also congratulated the former Head of State on his recent 84th birthday anniversary.

He told Abubakar that, regardless of the pressures confronting the electoral body, it remained committed to ensuring that the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls would prevail.

He said, “The Commission’s determination under my leadership was to see ordinary Nigerians go out and vote, confident that their votes would be duly counted and reflected in the outcome of elections,” describing this as “the core assurance INEC owed the electorate.”

Amupitan also formally confirmed the dates for the 2027 general elections.

According to INEC, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.

Abubakar, in turn, urged Nigerians to support INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.