By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) has thrown its weight behind the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), commending his leadership and the Commission’s conduct of recent elections, while pledging support for preparations toward the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement came during a courtesy visit by a high-powered AYF delegation to the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday. The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Trustees, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, who praised what he described as significant improvements in electoral administration under Prof. Amupitan.
According to Gujungu, the Commission has demonstrated increasing commitment to transparency, credibility and professionalism in the management of elections across the country.
“We stand before you today to commend the hard work of your leadership and the successes recorded in the recent elections held across the country,” he said. “The improvement in logistics, timely deployment of materials and adherence to election guidelines despite enormous challenges are commendable.”
The AYF also applauded INEC’s deployment of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), describing it as a major step in reducing electoral fraud and strengthening confidence in election outcomes.
Gujungu further criticised what he termed politically motivated attacks against the electoral body, arguing that public trust in the Commission was being undermined by misinformation rather than genuine operational shortcomings.
“An independent electoral body must be judged on facts and evidence, not propaganda. AYF strongly rejects the politicization of INEC, especially at this critical time in our national history,” he stated.
Responding, Prof. Amupitan thanked the Forum for its support, describing the visit as a rare display of objectivity in the assessment of the Commission’s work.
He noted that the encouragement would further motivate INEC as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.
The INEC Chairman disclosed that Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 15, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.
“Nigeria has the largest democracy in Africa. For it to be well with Africa, Nigeria must get it right. And we are committed and determined to ensure that we face that election head on,” he said.
Amupitan cited the recently concluded Ekiti State Governorship Election as evidence of the Commission’s improving standards, highlighting the timely arrival of officials, efficient deployment of election materials and a peaceful voting environment.
He added that INEC intends to build on those gains in future elections, including the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election.
During the meeting, the AYF proposed a partnership with INEC on grassroots voter education across northern Nigeria, focusing on voter mobilization, technology literacy and anti-vote-buying campaigns.
The Forum also suggested the establishment of a post-election feedback mechanism through which its field coordinators would provide polling-unit-level reports on logistics, staff performance and technology deployment after elections.
Prof. Amupitan welcomed the proposals and directed the Commission’s Voter Education and Publicity Department to establish a formal liaison with the AYF to strengthen grassroots engagement.
The AYF, which claims a membership base of between two and three million youths across northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, pledged to mobilize its members to obey electoral laws, reject misinformation, report electoral offences and contribute to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
