2027: INEC warns parties against sidelining women as Air Force boosts election logistics

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has cautioned political parties ahead of the 2027 General Election, declaring that any primary election that excludes women will fail its regulatory test.

Speaking at the commission’s 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja on Tuesday, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced that “symbolic concessions” are no longer enough under the Electoral Act 2026.

“It is no longer enough to offer free nomination forms to women while maintaining glass ceilings in your inner caucuses,” Amupitan declared.

He emphasized that the commission would scrutinize the inclusivity of primaries more rigorously than ever, asserting that, “a primary that systematically excludes women is a primary that fails the test of our new regulatory standards.”

The Chairman also raised alarms regarding “gender-based disinformation” and digital harassment aimed at female aspirants. He vowed that the electoral space must remain a “sanctuary for ideas” rather than a “battlefield of gender-targeted character assassination.”

Citing INEC’s internal commitment to equity, Amupitan revealed that women now hold over 43% of Directorate-level positions at the headquarters, with 218 women serving as Electoral Officers across the federation. To further this agenda, he announced the appointment of Hajia Hadiza Abubakar Talba as Special Adviser on Gender and Inclusivity.

Air Force pledges support

In a separate meeting on the same day, Prof. Amupitan hosted the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to coordinate logistics for the 2027 polls.

With the Presidential election set for January 16, 2027, the Chairman noted that “the election can only be as good as the logistics.”

Air Marshal Aneke pledged the full support of the Nigerian Air Force, stating they are “willing, able and ready” to airlift sensitive materials to remote areas.

Beyond transport, the Air Force will deploy advanced technology to secure the process.

“The Air Force will deploy Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance ISR platforms, including drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles UAVs, to enhance monitoring of the electoral environment,” Aneke disclosed, adding that these assets would help in the early detection of security threats.

To ensure seamless execution, INEC and the Air Force will establish a joint technical team for early operational planning and simulation exercises.

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