APC chieftain urges INEC to prioritize free, fair 2027 polls as antidote to party impunity

Osita Okechukwu, former Voice of Nigeria DG and APC founding member, urged INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan to prioritize free, fair, and credible 2027 elections as the strongest antidote to intra-party impunity. Speaking during a Sunday visit to former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, Niger State, Okechukwu cited INEC's March Akwa Ibom and June Abuja emphasis on internal party democracy.

He argued parties obey electoral rules and field popular candidates only when confident polls will be transparent; perceived illegitimacy fuels internal conflicts and impunity. "Certainly not," he said dismissing "INEC as handgun" allegations, adding APC needs fair elections for legitimacy with its 31 governors and to strengthen Nigeria's fledgling democracy.

As parties position for 2027, with APC framing electoral integrity as patriotic duty rather than self-interest, does this signal genuine commitment to democratic norms—or merely strategic positioning ahead of contested polls? Voters should scrutinize INEC's actions, not just party rhetoric, to gauge commitment to transparent processes.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/07/26/2027-focus-on-free-fair-elections-apcs-okechukwu-to-inec/