2027: INEC Enlists Oba of Lagos to Tackle Election Violence, Mobilise Voters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has enlisted the support of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, and the Lagos Traditional Council in its drive to ensure peaceful elections and stronger voter participation in the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal on Tuesday when he led a delegation of the commission on a courtesy visit to the monarch at Iga Idunganran, Lagos Island.

The visit was part of the commission’s South-West Zonal Readiness Assessment and Staff Interactive Session.

Amupitan said the traditional institution was critical to the success of the electoral process, stressing that INEC’s deployment of technology must be complemented by citizens’ participation and the moral authority of community leaders.

“We are here today to formally enlist Your Royal Majesty and the Lagos Traditional Council as powerful partners in keeping the peace and safeguarding our democracy,” the INEC chairman said.

He urged the monarch to use his influence to encourage Lagos residents to participate actively in the electoral process, including completing voter registration and collecting their Permanent Voter Cards.

“Technology alone cannot build a democracy; people do,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman disclosed that the National Register of Voters was fast approaching 100 million, stressing that managing such a large electoral population across the country would require more than technical preparations.

According to him, traditional rulers remain important anchors of their communities and have a responsibility to promote peace and social cohesion beyond political affiliations.

“Political parties and electoral commissions come and go, but the traditional institution remains the permanent anchor of our communities,” he said.

Amupitan also appealed to the Oba to prevail on politicians to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and focus their campaigns on policies and issues.

“We urge you, as a father to all politicians regardless of their party affiliations, to counsel them to focus on issues rather than insults. Let them debate policies, not personalities,” he said.

The INEC chairman requested the monarch’s support in three key areas: prayers and royal blessings for INEC officials and electoral personnel; mobilisation of citizens for voter registration and PVC collection; and continued advocacy for peace among political actors, youths, market associations and community leaders.

Responding, Oba Akiolu pledged his support for the commission’s call and urged politicians to abandon short-term patronage in favour of genuine empowerment and capacity building.

The monarch insisted that political campaigns should remain issue-based and free from hate speech and inflammatory statements.

“Campaigning must remain strictly issue-based, free from hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric,” Akiolu said.

He also urged traditional rulers to take their civic responsibilities seriously by encouraging citizens, particularly youths, to participate peacefully in the democratic process.

“As Royal Fathers, it is our solemn duty to guide our communities and inspire citizens to turn out in large numbers to exercise their democratic franchise,” he said.

The Oba further charged the INEC chairman and national commissioners to remain impartial and steadfast in discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

He called on the Federal Government to ensure adequate and timely funding for the commission to enable it conduct the 2027 elections effectively.

The engagement comes as INEC steps up its preparations for the 2027 elections and strengthens partnerships with traditional institutions to promote peaceful participation, voter mobilisation and confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.