From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has today Tuesday, sworn-in for another term, the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Adeniran Tella in Abuja.
During the sweering-in ceremony, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan cautioned him to stick to his official job void of partiality.
He said, swearing-in, “is a solemn occasion; an occasion of call to duty. As such, it is with great pleasure that I administer the oath of office to you today. This is a profound responsibility, placing you at the forefront of Nigeria’s democratic journey in one of our states.
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“My tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission began with a clear and unwavering mandate: to deliver free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people. This mission is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a moral and legal duty we owe to every citizen.
“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 warned him to uphold the highest standard of professionalism and integrity in every action he takes; saying, he has given same order to his colleagues, and therefore cautioning him against any compromise on INEC values or procedures which 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. We also have a moral and legal obligation to ensure the electoral system is above reproach. Any misconduct, whether by omission or commission, shall not be accepted.
“Your primary goal must be to instill in the voters of your state the confidence that their choice truly counts. 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.
“Go forth, Professor Tella, and work collaboratively with our staff to ensure your state is a beacon of hope and democratic values. Let us stand united to restore and uphold the integrity and credibility of our elections. It is how we go about this that will determine how we address voter apathy and other challenges that have bedeviled our electoral system.
Responding, Prof. Tella, expressed deep appreciation for the swift and orderly manner in which the swearing-in was conducted. He described the Commission’s current direction as one marked by total transformation, aligning with global best practices in election administration.
Drawing from his experience in public administration and electoral management, he pledged to uphold professionalism, fairness, and transparency in all electoral operations.
Prof. Tella promised to maintain an open-door policy by engaging political parties, observers and the media at every critical stage of the electoral process. He underscored the need for improved voter education and pre-election testing of BVAS, especially in hard-to-reach areas, and affirmed his resolve to conduct elections guided by the Constitution, the Electoral Act.
