INEC Makes Fresh Promise Ahead Of 2027 Elections, Urges Nigerian Youths To Participate

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on Nigerian youths to take an active part in the 2027 general elections, assuring citizens that it has learnt important lessons from the challenges that affected the 2023 presidential poll.

The commission made the appeal on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a stakeholders’ roundtable on voter education and youth participation organised by Kimpact Development Initiative in Abuja.

INEC’s Deputy Director of Voter Education, Paula Iwenjiora, who represented the Director of Voter Education, Etta-Messi, acknowledged that the commission’s handling of the 2023 presidential election had weakened public confidence in the electoral process.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Iwenjiora explained that heavy traffic on INEC’s website during the 2023 presidential election affected the process. She added that improvements were subsequently introduced during the governorship elections.

“I don’t blame people because we have deficit trust because of what happened the last time,” she said, while expressing optimism about the commission’s preparations for the next general elections.

The INEC official also expressed confidence in the commission’s current leadership under Chairman Joash Amupitan, noting that efforts were underway to strengthen electoral processes and address previous shortcomings.

She urged young Nigerians to move beyond political discussions on social media and demonstrate their interest in the country’s democratic process through active participation.

Iwenjiora emphasised that online conversations alone would not influence election outcomes without voters taking practical steps to participate, including obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and turning out to vote.

The commission maintained that youth involvement would be important to ensuring credible elections and strengthening public confidence ahead of the 2027 general polls.