2027: When elections are compromised nation suffers – INEC Chair, Amupitan

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan has noted that when elections are compromised, public trust is eroded and the nation suffers as a result.

He stated this as INEC commenced Anti-Corruption Education and Sensitisation Workshop for members of staff ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the workshop on Monday, Amupitan, represented by National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, said the Commission, as an electoral umpire, bore the responsibility to lead conversations that shape national values, noting that elections remained the foundation of democracy.

She said “When elections are compromised, public trust is eroded and the nation suffers as a result.”

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for facilitating the workshop, describing it as designed to build capacity, share best practices, and produce actionable recommendations to guide staff during elections.

She disclosed that ICPC was providing resource persons for the two-day training, and thanked participants for prioritising the exercise over other engagements, urging them to contribute freely, ask critical questions, and network during the sessions.

In his remarks, the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu, SAN, represented by the Director of Legal Services, ICPC, Mr. Henry Emore, said corruption remained one of the biggest factors hindering development in the 21st century.

Mr. Emore said the theme of the workshop reflected ICPC’s commitment to supporting government programmes aimed at ensuring free, fair, and equitable elections.

He noted that when the electoral process was devoid of integrity and marred by malpractice, government spent more to conduct supplementary elections and to maintain law and order, while agencies such as ICPC were stretched by a surge of petitions and litigation.

Mr. Emore described elections as defining moments for a nation, and said the responsibility placed on INEC required the highest level of accountability, responsibility, and transparency.

He said the fight against corruption required collective action, which was why ICPC was partnering with INEC on the workshop for electoral officers, for which it was providing resource persons to facilitate the sessions.

He commended electoral officers for their courage and commitment, describing them as persons who put their lives on the line in service to the country.

He expressed hope that discussions from the workshop would strengthen the conduct of free, fair, and equitable elections in Nigeria.