The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, says he has handed everything over to God as he prepares for the task of conducting the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Artificial Intelligence and Democracy Forum 2026 in Abuja, Amupitan said his faith was helping him handle the pressure of the job.
He said, “I’m being reminded of the enormity of the task on me. I’m also encouraged by the word of God, which is, ‘Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ So that has been my anchor.
“And sometimes people say, ‘You are not bothered.’ I said, I’ve handed over everything to God.”
The forum, organised by Yiaga Africa, focused on “Safeguarding the 2027 General Election in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
Amupitan assured Nigerians that algorithms would not determine the election outcome, stressing that voters alone had the right to choose their leaders.
He said AI could improve election planning, communication and the movement of materials, but must serve democracy rather than control it.
INEC expects more than 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Difficult terrain, insecurity and poor network coverage remain challenges.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC had completed 10 of 14 major timetable activities and started receiving additional voter accreditation devices.
The commission has also digitised candidate nominations, processing over 15,000 entries from 22 parties, introduced online voter registration and decentralised PVC collection.
He said AI could help detect suspicious results and logistical problems, but human collation remained the legal standard for declaring election results. INEC will continue working with relevant groups to protect electoral integrity.
