The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has described the bye-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta States as crucial operational lessons ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Amupitan stated this on Saturday while presiding over operations at the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.
The Commission conducted legislative bye-elections in Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State and Udu State Constituency in Delta State.
He said no electoral contest should be dismissed as trivial, noting that every off-cycle poll serves as a dress rehearsal for nationwide elections.
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“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” Amupitan said.
“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary bye-election. Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 General Election, allowing us to continuously audit our logistics framework, stress-test our technological deployment, and evaluate administrative field readiness.”
The INEC Chairman, who monitored the exercise alongside National Commissioners and senior management officials as field reports came in, said operational bottlenecks encountered before polling were swiftly resolved.
“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.
He commended the technical team and others in the situation room for ensuring seamless monitoring of the multi-state exercise.
The statement was signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman.
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