The House of Representatives has summoned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), to brief its Committee on Electoral Matters on preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly concerns over insecurity, election logistics and the possible disenfranchisement of voters.

The directive requires the INEC chairman to appear before the committee within seven legislative days to provide a detailed report on the commission’s readiness for the elections.

The committee is expected to examine progress in Continuous Voter Registration, the production and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), as well as the recruitment and training of electoral officials. Lawmakers will also assess operational and security challenges that could affect the smooth conduct of the elections.

The House will further seek an assessment of lessons learnt from recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states to identify areas requiring improvement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Minority Whip, Mansur Soro, and the Deputy Minority Leader, Abdulsamad Dasuki, during Wednesday’s plenary.

Lawmakers also want INEC to provide details of its budgetary appropriations, funds released, outstanding disbursements and the implications of any funding shortfalls for implementing the election timetable.

The sponsors had initially sought the appearance of the INEC chairman before the entire House during plenary. However, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu opposed that aspect of the motion, arguing that the responsibility should be handled by the committee constitutionally mandated to oversee the commission.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has alleged a plot to postpone the January 16, 2027 presidential election, warning President Bola Tinubu against using the Ebola outbreak as a justification for changing the electoral timetable. The allegation remains a claim by the council and has not been established as fact.

The Federal Government, through the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, has stated that there is no plan to suspend election campaigns over the Ebola incident in the country.

INEC’s published timetable schedules the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) commenced its nationwide campaign in Kaduna on October 24, while the ADC campaign is scheduled to begin in Sokoto on October 31.

The House’s intervention is expected to provide an opportunity for lawmakers to scrutinise INEC’s preparations, identify operational gaps and seek assurances that insecurity, inadequate funding or logistical challenges will not prevent eligible Nigerians from participating in the 2027 general elections.