Ugochinyere Backs Amupitan, Calls for Stronger Support for INEC Ahead of 2027

House of Representatives member, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, over the planned distribution of newly printed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ugochinyere said no eligible Nigerian should be denied the opportunity to vote because of administrative delays, describing timely PVC production and distribution as an important part of preventing voter disenfranchisement.

His comments followed INEC’s announcement that newly printed PVCs would be distributed across its 33 Local Government Area offices in Oyo State from Friday, October 9, 2026.

According to INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, the exercise will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily, excluding weekends and public holidays. It is targeted at newly registered voters, those who transferred their polling units and voters seeking replacement for lost or damaged PVCs.

The collection of the cards will be strictly personal, with INEC stating that PVCs will not be released to proxies.

Ugochinyere urged eligible voters covered by the exercise to collect their cards, while calling on INEC to intensify public enlightenment so citizens are adequately informed about the collection process.

Beyond PVC distribution, the lawmaker called for stronger institutional support for INEC from the Federal Government, state governments, political parties, civil society organisations and community leaders.

He identified voter education, logistics, technology and personnel as areas requiring support as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

Ugochinyere said credible elections could not be delivered by INEC alone, stressing that citizens and other stakeholders also have responsibilities in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.

He, however, cautioned that any support provided to the electoral commission should not compromise its constitutional independence.

Rather, he said, INEC should be adequately resourced and supported to discharge its responsibilities efficiently, transparently and without interference.

The lawmaker’s comments come as INEC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the commission urging eligible voters to collect newly printed PVCs and old uncollected cards where applicable.