INEC Chairman Amupitan to Deliver Keynote Address at GOCOP 2026 Conference
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is set to deliver the keynote address at the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers scheduled for October 8, 2026, in Lagos.
The conference, themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities,” will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee and Deputy President of GOCOP, Olumide Iyanda, announced Amupitan’s selection in a statement issued on Monday by the Guild’s Publicity Secretary, Kemi Yesufu.
Iyanda said the choice of the INEC chairman was particularly significant as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, with growing attention on electoral credibility, public confidence in democratic institutions and the responsibilities of stakeholders in the electoral process.
According to him, Amupitan is well positioned to lead discussions on the preparations for the 2027 elections, given his responsibility for the conduct of the polls and his background in law, governance and institutional administration.
Amupitan, a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was appointed INEC chairman in October 2025. Before his appointment, he held several academic and administrative positions at the University of Jos, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Dean of the Faculty of Law.
His areas of academic expertise include evidence law, corporate governance, company law, privatisation law and electoral jurisprudence.
Iyanda said the 2027 elections would require the collective commitment of INEC, political parties, candidates, the media, civil society organisations and voters, rather than relying solely on the electoral commission.
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“The 2027 elections will be about more than what INEC does on election day. The credibility of the process will depend on the conduct of institutions, political parties and candidates, the media, civil society and the electorate,” he said.
He added that Amupitan’s legal scholarship and administrative experience would provide valuable perspectives on the challenges and expectations surrounding the 2027 electoral process.
The conference is expected to examine the responsibilities of electoral institutions, political parties, candidates, the media, civil society and voters in ensuring credible elections.
Discussions will also focus on public confidence in the electoral process, access to credible information, transparency and the conduct of institutions and stakeholders whose actions could affect electoral integrity.
GOCOP previously engaged INEC ahead of the 2023 general elections, when the then Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, delivered the keynote address at the Guild’s 2022 conference titled “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.”
The 2026 conference will be chaired by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and human rights advocate, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN.
Agbakoba, who has been involved in Nigeria’s democracy and governance discourse for decades, has been an advocate of constitutional reform, human rights, electoral reform, public policy and the rule of law.
Iyanda said Agbakoba’s extensive experience in democratic governance and institutional reform made him suitable to chair a conference centred on trust, transparency and shared responsibility in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The 2026 gathering will also mark the 10th edition of the GOCOP annual conference.
GOCOP is a business membership organisation comprising 127 online publications in Nigeria. The Guild promotes professional and ethical standards in digital publishing while advancing the business interests and sustainability of online media organisations.
Iyanda said the conference would provide an opportunity for online publishers to reflect on their responsibility to provide accurate, fair and credible information as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
By PRNigeria
