2027: Focus on free, fair elections – APC’s Okechukwu to INEC

Former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu, on Sunday urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Joash Amupitan, to focus on ensuring a free, fair, and credible election, stressing that credible elections remain the strongest antidote to intra-party impunity.

Okechukwu made the remark in response to the INEC Chairman’s recent call on political parties to adhere strictly to the principles of internal democracy during a courtesy visit to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger State.

In a statement he signed, the foundational member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the INEC Chairman has consistently emphasised the issue of internal democracy, having made similar remarks in Akwa Ibom in March 2026 and again in Abuja in June 2026.

He said: “Whereas one agrees with the Chairman that strict observance of internal democracy within political parties is of paramount importance; the greatest incentive for political parties to uphold internal democracy is the consistent conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections by INEC.”

He argued that political scientists have long maintained that political parties are more likely to respect democratic principles and popular will when electoral processes are credible and transparent.

“Political party leaders will do everything within the ambit of the law to keep their houses in order and present the most acceptable and popular candidates when they are confident that elections will be free and fair.

“In such circumstances, they are compelled to obey the wishes of the electorate. However, when elections are perceived as lacking transparency, internal party conflicts and impunity are more likely to thrive,” he said.

Okechukwu also dismissed claims by other political parties that INEC is a hand-gun in the area of ensuring free and fair elections.

He said that APC needs free and fair elections as core patriots who are committed to the genuine growth of the country’s fledgling democracy and overall progress of every Nigerian.

“Certainly not,” he said. “I dismiss the handgun allegation; APC needs free and fair elections, not only for legitimacy with our 31 state governors, but for the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall good governance.”

He maintained that the APC remains a formidable political force and that credible elections would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and political parties alike.