Category Nigeria News

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission is taking concrete steps to prevent any disruption in the electronic transmission of results during the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan, who spoke on Sunday at the Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act 2026 in Abuja, said the commission is determined to eliminate the technical issues that affected the 2023 presidential election.

Addressing concerns about past failures, the INEC chairman expressed confidence that the commission’s improved preparations and testing would ensure seamless transmission.

“The glitch is eliminated; by God’s grace, it will not surface in Nigeria,” he said, noting that apart from delays experienced during some previous elections, the commission did not record outright transmission failure in other polls.

He explained that the legal provisions allowing alternative collation methods are merely safeguards and not an indication that the commission expects electronic transmission to fail.

“It is just a proviso, a safety. If it fails, results must still be transmitted. But our determination is that it will not fail,” the INEC boss said.

Technology Testing, 2023 Lessons

Amupitan acknowledged that while the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was tested in off-cycle governorship elections before 2023, the nationwide scale of the presidential poll exposed gaps in stress-testing across states.

“Election anywhere in the world is now about technology, but before deploying any technology, it is important to test it thoroughly,” he said.

According to him, INEC plans to conduct a nationwide mock presidential exercise ahead of the 2027 vote to ensure the result-transmission infrastructure can handle the scale of a national election.

The INEC chairman emphasised that while the commission is striving for major improvements, perfection remains difficult to achieve.

He noted that successful elections depend heavily on logistics and infrastructure readiness, stressing that network availability, not the concept of electronic transmission itself, remains the main operational challenge.

Despite this, he said Nigerians should expect significant progress.

“We will try to give Nigerians a near-perfect election,” Amupitan stated, adding that credible elections remain “the lifeblood of democracy”.

2023 Election, Act Amendment

Debate over electronic transmission stems largely from the 2023 presidential election, when INEC failed to upload polling-unit results to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real time, citing technical issues with the BVAS system.

The delays sparked widespread allegations of manipulation and multiple legal challenges, which were ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The 2023 presidential election results were officially declared by INEC on March 1, 2023. President Bola Tinubu of the APC was declared the winner, with Atiku Abubakar of the PDP coming second and Peter Obi of the Labour Party emerging third.

Subsequent amendments to the Electoral Act signed by President Tinubu in 2026 introduced a hybrid framework that allows electronic transmission while retaining manual result sheets as the legal basis for collation if technical issues arise.

However, the changes have generated criticism from civil society organisations, including Yiaga Africa, and political figures such as Peter Obi, who argue that removing strict real-time transmission requirements could weaken transparency.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians of a credible election in 2027, promising to push beyond its past milestones. 

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said this on Sunday during a Citizens’ Townhall on the 2026 Electoral Act.

“By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigeria has ever had. The electorate of 2027 is more aware and understands the direct correlation between elections and national development,” Amupitan said at the event in Abuja.

“We want a process that guarantees the legitimacy and confidence people want to see in their system. When people trust INEC and their leaders, the country will move forward.”

According to the INEC boss, the electoral body is putting in the needed work to ensure that next year’s polls are credible.

He identified logistics issues as one of the challenges facing INEC in conducting elections.

“So result management and logistics are two basic issues that, from our own end, we’re trying to see how best we’re able to manage them very well, so as to enhance the transparency and credibility of the system,” he said.

Amupitan also said INEC will conduct a mock presidential election to test-run the transmission process for next year’s poll.

“Moving forward, we will conduct mock presidential elections to ensure that transmission across state lines is seamless before the actual vote,” the INEC chief told the gathering.

READ ALSO: [2027] INEC To Conduct Mock Presidential Poll

Debates about the real-time transmission of election results have dominated headlines in Nigeria in recent months.

It was the subject of intense debates in the 2027 presidential election after INEC reported a “glitch” in the transmission of the results for that poll.

But Amupitan, a professor of law, is assuring Nigerians of better days ahead, one year ahead of the general elections.

“Regarding the ‘glitch’ that was blamed for issues in 2023, let me be clear: the glitch is eliminated. It will not surface again,” he added.

Arsenal reestablished a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League as the Gunners overcame 10-man Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday.

Defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber got Arsenal’s goals as Chelsea’s ill-discipline saw them lose ground in the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League after Pedro Neto was sent off 20 minutes from time.

The Blues could not cope with Arsenal’s prowess from corners as Mikel Arteta’s men edged closer to a first league title in 22 years.

Saliba forced home the opening goal on 21 minutes after Gabriel Magalhaes headed Eberechi Eze’s delivery back across goal.

Chelsea levelled from a corner of their own when Pedro Hincapie turned Reece James’ cross into his own net.

READ ALSO: Sesko Strikes Again As Man Utd Climb To Third

Timber’s winner just after the hour mark was the 16th goal Arsenal have scored from a corner in the Premier League this season — equalling the competition record.

The Dutch international headed into an empty net after Robert Sanchez got caught underneath Declan Rice’s ball in.

Neto then became the ninth Chelsea player to see red this season for two quickfire bookings.

Chelsea had a late equaliser ruled out for offside but defeat leaves Liam Rosenior’s men three points outside the top five, who will almost certainly secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Benjamin Sesko stretched his hot streak with the winning goal as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to go third in the Premier League, while Tottenham failed to dispel relegation fears after defeat at Fulham.

Sesko was handed his first start in seven games since Michael Carrick took charge at Old Trafford and rewarded his boss with another vital goal to edge United closer to a return to the Champions League.

Palace had taken an early lead at Old Trafford when Maxence Lacroix outmuscled Leny Yoro to guide in a header from Brennan Johnson’s corner.

But United hit back to remain unbeaten under Carrick and take their tally to 19 points from a possible 21.

The game swung on one incident as Lacroix was sent off and conceded a penalty for pulling back Matheus Cunha just before the hour mark.

Bruno Fernandes confidently stroked the resulting spot-kick past former team-mate Dean Henderson.

Fernandes was then the creator for the second as his curling cross was powered in by Sesko.

The Slovenian has now scored seven times in his last eight appearances to quieten critics of his £74 million ($100 million) price tag after a slow start to his career in England.

“It feels like a big result. We were behind and had to show some character,” said Fernandes.

No Tudor Turnaround For Tottenham

Tottenham remain perilously poised just four points above the relegation zone as interim boss Igor Tudor again failed to halt their alarming slide after a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

“We were not good, (we) lacked everything attacking and defending,” said Tudor after two defeats in his two games in charge.

“There are problems here, big problems. We need to stay calm, believe in what we are doing in training, and get out (of trouble), staying all together.”

Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi gave Fulham a deserved half-time lead as they moved up to ninth and back into contention for European football next season.

Richarlison headed in a late consolation for Tottenham, but they remain the only Premier League side without a win in 2026.

The one crumb of comfort for Spurs was a defeat for relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, 2-1 at Brighton.

All three goals arrived in the first 15 minutes as Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck netted for the Seagulls, either side of Morgan Gibbs-White’s reply.

Forest sit two points above the drop zone ahead of a daunting trip to Manchester City on Wednesday.

The pressure is on leaders, Arsenal.

The Gunners’ lead at the top of the table was reduced to two points after City battled to a 1-0 win at Leeds on Saturday.

Chelsea are also in need of the points after dropping to sixth in the table, with only the top five set to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Elder Francis Igwe, the Father of the ex-deputy governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe, has been abducted by gunmen.

He was kidnapped on Sunday, March 1, 2026, while on his way to church at Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area.

Sources said Elder Igwe was driving when his vehicle was intercepted by armed men on a motorcycle.

The gunmen forced him out of his car and whisked him away on the motorcycle to an unknown destination.

[READ ALSO]: Ebonyi Killings: Gov Nwifuru Relaxes Curfew In Amasiri, Orders Prosecution Of Suspects

The Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Sunday Nwankwo, confirmed the incident, stating the council is working with security agencies to gather information and facilitate his rescue.

Confirming the incident to Channels Television, the police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, stated that operatives of the Command have been deployed to the area for a rescue operation.

The Electoral Act 2026 has been signed by President Bola Tinubu just about one year ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

But what are the implications for voters and next year’s election? The Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act will explore these and many other burning issues concerning the law.

Politicians, civil society organisations, and several others are live on the show to deal with these questions.

Guests at the event include INEC Chairman Joash Amputan; Oby Ezekwesili; Sen. Ireti Kingibe; APC chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda; Nenadi Usman of the LP, among others.

Watch the event live: