…pays courtesy visit to Abdulsalam Abubakar
From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has charged the staff of the commission, to work selflessly and uphold integrity as the only way for the country to believe in the electoral system saying, INEC cannot afford to fail Nigerians in the upcoming 2027 general election.
Amupitan made the charge today, Friday, in Minna, Niger State, during an official working visit and interactive session with the commission’s management and staff held at the state headquarters.
He warned them against any form of compromise, nothing that the attention of Nigerians and the international community—including the African Union and foreign Election Observation Missions—was already focused on Nigeria’s upcoming general election.
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According to him, “you are our ambassadors and you cannot afford to fail. The general election is coming up in January 16th, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, while February 6th is for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.
“The whole world, not just Nigerians, is looking up to INEC. I just returned from an African Union meeting in Egypt involving all the EMBs (Electoral Management Bodies) in Africa, and everyone expressed their desire to come and monitor Nigeria’s elections.
“So, the whole world is watching us. We must conduct the election in a highly professional manner.
“We do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. My goal is to ensure that we improve on our performance continuously,” he said.
Amupitan however, assured the staff of the commission’s commitment as it is working assiduously to improve logistics, infrastructure, and transport fleets across all state offices ahead of the polls.
Reflecting on his journey nine months after assuming office, the INEC Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to rebuilding public trust in the commission through transparent, free, fair, and credible elections.
Stressing that the commission’s resolve to build a revitalised INEC capable of earning the confidence of Nigerians could only be achieved through the dedication and integrity of field personnel at the grassroots.
He announced that while hard work would be recognised and rewarded, administrative misconduct would attract strict sanctions.
“Work hard, work selflessly, shun corruption, and let us give the Nigerian people what they truly desire,” he urged.
On employee’s welfare, the INEC Boss revealed that the commission has commenced a comprehensive review of staff packages across the country to boost morale and foster optimal performance.
He recalled that when he assumed office, he identified staff welfare as one of the most critical areas requiring urgent intervention.
“We play a pivotal role in ensuring that Nigeria moves into the comity of developed nations. This can only happen if our political system is stable, and that stability depends largely on our independence and performance as an electoral body.
“When I assumed office, I discovered that the welfare package for INEC staff was among the lowest in the country”, he added.
He also monitored the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise at a centre located within the office headquarters.
INEC Chairman equally paid a courtesy visit to the former Head of State, and Chairman of Nigeria Peace Accord Committee, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, in his Mina hometown.
Speaking at the General’s residence, Amupitan described General Abubakar as the father of democracy in Nigeria, noting that his transition to civilian rule in 1999 marked a defining moment in the country’s democratic history. Saying, the Commission regarded the former Head of State not merely as a statesman but as a pillar of support for INEC.
He commended General Abubakar’s role as Chairman of the National Peace Committee, describing his Peace Accord initiative as a moralising influence on Nigeria’s political ecosystem. He said the initiative had, over the years, provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence, thereby strengthening the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.
Describing the visit as a pilgrimage of appreciation for General Abubakar’s contributions to peaceful coexistence, peaceful elections and democratic stability in the country, he also used the visit to congratulate him on his recent 84th birthday anniversary.
Prof. Amupitan told the former Head of State that regardless of the pressures confronting the Commission, INEC remained committed to ensuring that the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed at the Election, would prevail.
Responding, General Abubakar commended the Commission’s leadership, describing INEC chairmanship as one of the most demanding positions in the country, given the divergent expectations of political actors regardless of whatever direction the Commission takes.
He called on Nigerians to support the Commission and its leadership, stressing that the success of the nation’s democracy depended on the cooperation and confidence extended to INEC by the citizenry and political stakeholders alike.
General Abubakar expressed confidence in Prof. Amupitan’s leadership, urging him to remain firm and impartial in the discharge of his duties, and assured the Commission of his continued support and prayers ahead of the 2027 General Election.
