The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment to eliminate election malpractice, declaring that the commission would intensify its fight against rigging and vote-buying ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan, who assumed office in October, made the pledge while administering the oath of office to Prof. Adeniran Tella, newly redeployed as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Oyo State. The ceremony was held at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Describing the duty before Tella as “a solemn occasion and a call to service,” Amupitan stressed that INEC must uphold the trust invested in it by Nigerians.
“The credibility of our electoral system is the very foundation upon which our democracy stands,” he said. “Your role as REC is absolutely critical, and the integrity of our elections is non-negotiable.”
He warned that the commission would not tolerate any breach of procedures or compromise on electoral values, insisting that transparency and full adherence to the Electoral Act must guide all actions.
“We are resolved to combat all forms of election rigging, including the menace of vote-buying,” the INEC chairman stated. “The eyes of the nation are upon us. The public trust placed in INEC is sacred.”
Amupitan urged Tella to ensure that voters in Oyo State have confidence that their ballots will count in forthcoming elections.
In response, Tella expressed gratitude to the chairman for his guidance and pledged to uphold the commission’s operational standards. A professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy, Tella previously served as REC in Oyo and Ekiti States, representing Osun, before his first tenure ended in 2025.
INEC said the redeployment is part of efforts to strengthen electoral management and build a more transparent process ahead of future polls.
