The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Ogun State, Prince Babajide Rotimi Matthew, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take decisive steps to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Babajide urged the commission to ensure that the elections are free, fair, transparent and credible, stressing that the outcome must reflect the genuine will of the electorate.
The APM candidate made the call in an open letter addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, in which he commended the leadership of the commission and urged it to sustain its commitment to neutrality, professionalism and due process.
He also commended the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State, Mrs. Saseyi Feyijimi Ibiyemi, for her efforts in the state.
According to Babajide, recent electoral developments, particularly the Osun State governorship election, have provided Nigerians with an opportunity to assess the commission’s commitment to neutrality, professionalism and adherence to due process.
He said Nigerians were looking towards INEC with renewed expectations under the leadership of Amupitan, urging the commission to use the opportunity to deepen confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions.
Babajide also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for, in his view, creating an environment that would enable INEC to discharge its constitutional responsibilities without undue interference.
He, however, called on the Federal Government to continue to guarantee the commission the necessary independence and institutional space to conduct the 2027 elections impartially.
“As a political candidate, I recognise that my responsibility is to participate in the democratic process and to respect the institutions established to conduct it. As a Nigerian, however, my greater interest is in seeing a credible electoral process that reflects the genuine will of the people,” he said.
The APM candidate expressed optimism that the 2027 general elections could become a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic development.
He said a credible election would not only strengthen the country’s democratic institutions but also make the exercise “a celebration of democracy, the triumph of the people’s will” and another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
