Northern group, Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) commended President Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the transparent, free, fair, and credible conduct of the recently concluded 2026 bye-elections across several States and Federal Constituencies, as well as the off-cycle Ekiti State Governorship election.

In a statement made available to Journalists in Kaduna by the AYA Speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, the Assembly described the electoral exercises as a significant milestone and a clear pointer that the will of the Nigerian electorate will count.QR in the 2027 general elections.

He said, “The seamless conduct of these elections, despite the usual tension associated with off-cycle and legislative polls, demonstrates that INEC under Professor Joash Amupitan is steadily perfecting our electoral process. The outcome reaffirms our hope that Nigerians will get the leaders they genuinely vote for in 2027”.

The Northern group specifically praised the INEC Chairman’s decision to appeal the recent Federal High Court ruling ordering the deregistration of certain political parties, noting that INEC’s swift action confirmed the Commission’s neutrality and independence.

“By joining the political parties that were ordered to be deregistered in appealing the ruling, INEC has sent an unmistakable message that it has no favourite party and is not an appendage of any political group. This is the kind of impartial umpire our democracy needs,” Alhaji Danlami stated.

The group further stressed that the credibility of the electoral process has vindicated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s judgment in appointing Professor Amupitan.

 It stressed that those who initially nursed doubts about the INEC Chairman’s capacity to deliver have now been proven wrong, solidifying confidence in the President’s unrivalled pro-democracy credentials.

“President Bola Tinubu is a foremost democrat who understands the price of liberty and the sanctity of the ballot. He will never take any action that will endanger Nigeria’s democracy. The appointment of Professor Amupitan and the subsequent conduct of free elections is a testament to the President’s commitment to bequeathing a legacy of electoral integrity,” the Assembly declared.

While calling on Nigerians across all divides to continue praying for and supporting INEC as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify, the Arewa Youth Assembly issued a passionate appeal to eligible voters who are yet to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs).

“We urge all citizens, especially the youth, without a Voter’s Card, to seize the opportunity of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. With Professor Amupitan at the helm, we are assured that every vote will count. The era of stolen mandates is behind us; your PVC is your power to shape the future,” the statement added.