The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring credible elections and combating all forms of electoral malpractice, including vote-buying.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during the swearing-in of Prof. Adeniran Tella as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) described the ceremony as a solemn call to duty for the new REC.
Prof. Amupitan tasked Tella with upholding the Commission’s core values of transparency, professionalism, and strict adherence to the Electoral Act, stressing that the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system is the foundation of its democracy.
“The credibility of our electoral system is the very foundation upon which our democracy stands. Your role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) 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,” Amupitan said.
He added:
“I charge you to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in every action you take. Any compromise on our values or our procedures shall not be tolerated. 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.”
The Chairman also encouraged the new REC to collaborate closely with INEC staff to make his state a beacon of hope and democratic values, noting that restoring confidence in the electoral process is crucial to addressing voter apathy and other systemic challenges.
Prof. Tella, who has been posted to Oyo State, expressed gratitude for the orderly swearing-in ceremony and pledged to bring professionalism, fairness, and transparency to all electoral operations, drawing on his extensive experience in public administration and electoral management.
