…charges INEC staff to build culture for credible polls
By Olayinka Ajayi
LAGOS — Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has charged Administrative Secretaries and other staff of the commission to uphold integrity, neutrality and professionalism in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan said the quality of the commission’s preparations and election-day operations would depend largely on the effectiveness of its staff at the state level.
He spoke during a strategic capacity-building workshop for INEC Administrative Secretaries and other South-West zonal staff in Lagos.
The INEC chairman urged Administrative Secretaries to strengthen their collaboration with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in their respective states, describing them as the “engine room” of the commission’s state operations.
He said: “You, Administrative Secretaries, are the engine room of our state operations. The synergy between you and your Resident Electoral Commissioner will determine the smooth execution of the 2027 General Elections in your respective states.
“As the chief technical leads, the quality of election delivery in your state rests squarely on your attention to operational detail.
“If you tolerate shortcuts, shortcuts will multiply. If you tolerate political interference, neutrality will deteriorate. If you insist on documentation, documentation will become institutional culture.
“If you insist on punctuality, preparedness and compliance, those values will spread throughout the organisation. If you respond constructively to problems, your officers will report problems rather than conceal them.
“Your responsibility, therefore, is to build an administrative culture capable of delivering credible elections.”
Amupitan, while appreciating the Office of the Secretary to the Commission and development partners for organising the workshop, urged participants to identify state-specific operational challenges and have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.
Addressing South-West staff during a separate interactive meeting, the INEC chairman urged them to discharge their duties with integrity and remain above suspicion.
“We must remain above suspicion, for the eyes of over 200 million Nigerians and indeed the world are fixed upon us. A flawed election process is a wound to the nation’s soul; let us ensure that under our watch, that soul remains vibrant and intact,” he said.
Amupitan said electoral officials played a critical role in translating electoral laws into practice, stressing that the credibility of elections depended significantly on how the law was implemented.
“It is the officials of the Commission who translate the language of legislation into electoral reality.
“A beautifully drafted Electoral Act cannot by itself guarantee integrity. An independent Electoral Commission cannot by itself guarantee public confidence.
“The credibility of an election depends significantly on how faithfully the law is implemented by the officials entrusted with its administration,” he said.
He urged the staff to know the law, understand their responsibilities and remain neutral, while documenting their actions and protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
Amupitan said every administrative decision could be subjected to public scrutiny and judicial review, urging the staff to uphold the highest standards ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Conducting seamless elections in a nation as vast and vibrant as Nigeria remains a herculean task, but it is a task we are uniquely prepared for.
“Let us go forth with courage, guided by law, powered by technology and sustained by our love for Nigeria. The road to 2027 begins here, and we shall not falter,” he said.
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