Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, Delta polls lessons for 2027 — INEC - Punch Newspapers
L-R: National Commissioners, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu and Prof. Rhoda Gumus; Honourable Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN; and National Commissioner, Malam Mohammed Haruna, during the monitoring of multi-state bye-elections in the Situation Room in Abuja on Saturday Photo Credit: INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission has described the bye-elections held in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as crucial operational tests that would provide lessons for the 2027 General Election. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, (SAN), stated this on Saturday while personally presiding over operations at the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja. According to a statement issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission conducted four legislative bye-elections in the 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. Amupitan said every off-cycle election was an important dress rehearsal for the general election, stressing that no electoral contest should be regarded as trivial or routine. He said, “These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google “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.” Bauchi by-election: Police arrest 47 for impersonating state security By-election: Kano CP commends residents for peaceful conduct Group demands arrest, prosecution, of Delta APC, NDC clash perpetrators The INEC chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners and senior management officials, monitored the elections as operational reports were received from the various states. Amupitan also reassured Nigerians of the Commission’s commitment to electoral integrity, saying operational bottlenecks identified before the polls were swiftly addressed. “Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” he said. “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.” The INEC chairman thanked officials in the Situation Room, particularly the technical team, for enabling the Commission to monitor the multi-state exercise seamlessly and assess field performance without any hitch. Deborah Musa Deborah Musa is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience in journalism, including three years covering the judiciary. She focuses on producing accurate, well-researched reports that provide clarity on legal and justice-related issues. Deborah’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and editorial diligence.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!
Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.
