Prof. Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), stated on Tuesday that he is determined “to combat all forms of election rigging, including the menace of vote-buying.”
He said that because “the eyes of the nation are upon us,” this was no longer negotiable. The public’s faith in INEC is priceless.
Amupitan, who became the new INEC chairman in October, made this commitment while swearing in Prof. Adeniran Tella as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Oyo State.
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The ceremony, held at the commission’s headquarters, marked Tella’s redeployment to Oyo as part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral administration across the country.
In his speech, Amupitan emphasised the weight of the responsibility, describing the event as “a solemn occasion; an occasion of call to duty.”
“This is a profound responsibility, placing you at the forefront of Nigeria’s democratic journey in one of our states.”
Amupitan re-echoed the commission’s commitment to credible elections, saying, “The credibility of our electoral system is the very foundation upon which our democracy stands.
“Your role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner is absolutely critical to the success of this democratic project. I must be unequivocal and I admonish you that the integrity of our elections is non-negotiable.”
The new INEC chairman further warned against compromising INEC’s procedures and values.
The don warned, “Any compromise on our values or our procedures shall not be tolerated.
“You must focus on transparency, strictly adhering to every guideline and every procedure laid out by the Commission and the Electoral Act. Any misconduct, whether by omission or commission, shall not be accepted.”
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He told Tella that his primary goal “must be to instill in the voters of your state the confidence that their choice truly counts.”
“We are resolved to combat all forms of election rigging, including the menace of vote-buying. The eyes of the nation are upon us. The public trust placed in INEC is sacred,” Amupitan said.
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