The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Tuesday restated the commission’s determination to tackle all forms of electoral malpractice, including vote-buying.
Amupitan said the resolve had become imperative because the public trust vested in the commission must not be undermined.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us. The public trust placed in INEC is sacred,” he said.
The chairman spoke at the swearing-in of Prof. Adeniran Tella as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Oyo State at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Tella’s redeployment, he said, formed part of efforts to strengthen electoral administration across the country.
Describing the occasion as solemn, Amupitan said the responsibility before the new REC was significant.
“This is a profound responsibility, placing you at the forefront of Nigeria’s democratic journey in one of our states,” he said.
Amupitan reiterated that credible elections remained central to the consolidation of democracy.
“The credibility of our electoral system is the very foundation upon which our democracy stands,” he said.
He warned that the commission would not tolerate any breach of its rules or ethical standards.
“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,” he added.
The chairman urged Tella to work toward strengthening public confidence in the electoral process in Oyo State.
Responding, Tella pledged to align his work with the vision of the commission and thanked Amupitan for his guidance.
“The honourable chairman’s remarks are very much brimming with value and experience,” he said.
Tella, a Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy, is Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts, Social and Management Sciences, Atiba University, Oyo.
He previously served as REC in Oyo and Ekiti states, representing Osun, with his first term scheduled to end in September 2025.