• Urges parties to report issues, monitor Osun CVR
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said peaceful and transparent elections are important for Nigeria to achieve stability and democratic consolidation.

He stressed the critical link between credible elections and national security.

Amupitan stated this yesterday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the alumni association of the National Institute for Security Studies (ANNISS), led by its President, Mike Ejiofor.

The visit was in preparation for the association’s Second Annual Lecture, themed “Credible Elections and National Security in Nigeria.”

Welcoming the delegation, the INEC Chairman described the theme as timely and significant, noting that the integrity of elections has direct implications for national peace and security.

He commended ANNISS for its role in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture by training senior officers across the armed forces, intelligence, and regulatory agencies.

Earlier in his remarks, Ejiofor, emphasised the importance of closer institutional engagement between the electoral body and security professionals, particularly as preparations gradually gather momentum towards the 2027 General Election.

Ejiofor congratulated the INEC Chairman on his appointment, describing the responsibility of overseeing elections in a country of over 200 million people as a weighty national assignment.

He disclosed that the forthcoming annual lecture would convene security experts, civil society actors, and electoral stakeholders to explore practical measures to strengthen electoral integrity.

Meanwhile, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mutiu Agboke, has urged political parties to promptly report any irregularities or concerns with regard to the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration to the commission.

Agboke said this was to ensure that necessary action could be taken where required.

The Osun INEC boss made this known while fielding questions from journalists during a monitoring visit to registration areas on Monday to assess the conduct of the exercise and interact with political party agents.

He led the INEC management team in the state during the monitoring visit.

The visit took the INEC team to several registration points, including Ilare Methodist Primary School in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area; Saint Andrew Primary School, Ada 1 Ward 7, Boripe Local Government Area; and Holy Michael Primary School, Olonde, Ikirun, Ward 8, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Agboke also explained that the inspection was aimed at ensuring the process was proceeding in an orderly manner.

Agboke said the commission decided to visit the field to obtain direct feedback from officials and representatives of political parties participating in the registration process.

Regarding political campaigns, the REC explained that campaign activities were largely internal matters for political parties, adding that the commission continues to monitor developments to ensure compliance with electoral regulations.

Speaking on the duration of the voter registration exercise, Agboke disclosed that the process would continue until close to the next election, noting that registration would be temporarily halted to allow for the printing of Permanent Voter Cards.