Ahead of the upcoming electoral exercises, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rallied traditional leaders in Kogi State to foster peace, voter education, and civic participation. Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, the chairman of the electoral umpire, made the appeal during a strategic meeting held on a Thursday in Lokoja, bringing together royal fathers from all 21 local government areas of the state.
Who attended the engagement in Lokoja?
The high-level meeting featured the INEC chairman alongside his core administrative team, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Shehu Wahab, and traditional rulers representing the 21 local councils of the state. The primary objective of the visit was to evaluate the commission's logistical readiness and infrastructure for both the upcoming off-cycle governorship ballot and the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan emphasized that the electoral body is actively improving its operational framework by modernizing facilities and deploying advanced technological devices to safeguard the integrity of the ballot. He implored the traditional rulers to leverage their immense local authority and proximity to grassroots populations to preach peace, encourage voter registration, and foster trust in electoral outcomes.
What role did the Resident Electoral Commissioner highlight?
Prof. Shehu Wahab praised the royal institution in Kogi State for maintaining a collaborative relationship with the commission over the years. Wahab reiterated that community leaders are indispensable partners in driving voter turnout and preserving public tranquility during sensitive political cycles.
In their response, the traditional rulers assured the visiting electoral officials of their unwavering commitment to backing peaceful and credible elections. They promised to cascade the commission's message down to their respective domains to ensure citizens conduct themselves responsibly throughout the electoral phases.
As part of the events marking the visit, Amupitan officially inaugurated a dedicated storage facility for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) located at the INEC state headquarters in Lokoja. The infrastructure upgrade is designed to secure sensitive technological assets ahead of future democratic contests in the state.