The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it regarded the Saturday’s by-election in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, Delta States as a critical component of its preparations for the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, who spoke while presiding over operations at the commission’s national Situation Room in Abuja, explained that the elections allowed INEC to continuously audit its logistics framework, stress-test the technological deployment, and evaluate administrative field readiness.
Prof. Amupitan in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, said every off-cycle poll served as an important dress rehearsal for nationwide elections.
“These four by-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 general election,” he said.
He reassured Nigerians of the INEC’s resolve to uphold electoral integrity, noting that operational bottlenecks encountered before polling were swiftly identified and resolved.
“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution.
“Whatever administrative or field challenges arose in 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,” Prof. Amupitan stated.
INEC had on Saturday, conducted four legislative by-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.
