- INEC chairman Amupitan vows tougher action against election rigging and vote-buying.
- New REC Adeniran Tella sworn in and posted to Oyo State.
- Amupitan stresses transparency, professionalism, and full respect for the Electoral Act.
- INEC warns that any misconduct or compromise will not be tolerated.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to stamp out election rigging and block every avenue that undermines the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, delivered the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during the swearing-in of Prof. Adeniran Tella as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). He described the ceremony as a solemn reminder of the responsibility placed on anyone trusted with overseeing elections.
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He urged the newly appointed REC to strictly uphold INEC’s values of transparency, professionalism, fairness, and respect for the Electoral Act, noting that his own tenure began with a clear mandate, to deliver elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people.
According to Amupitan, Nigeria’s democratic stability depends heavily on the credibility of its elections. He reminded Tella that the REC position carries enormous responsibility, stressing that the Commission would not entertain any form of compromise, whether deliberate or accidental.
He said: “The credibility of our electoral system is the foundation of our democracy. Your role as a REC is critical to the success of our work. The integrity of our elections is non-negotiable, and any compromise on our values or procedures will not be tolerated.”
Amupitan added that INEC is determined to confront every method used to distort election results, including the growing problem of vote-buying. He emphasized that Nigerians are watching, and the trust placed in the Commission must not be taken lightly.
He encouraged the new REC to work closely with INEC staff in Oyo State to strengthen public confidence, reduce voter apathy, and reinforce democratic values at the state level.
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Prof. Tella, in his response, expressed gratitude for the smooth swearing-in ceremony and commended the Commission’s ongoing reforms. He described INEC’s direction as one focused on genuine transformation and global best practices.
With years of experience in public administration and election management, Tella promised to uphold transparency, fairness, and professionalism in all election activities under his watch.
INEC confirmed that he has been deployed to Oyo State and is expected to assume duty immediately.
