By Our Reporter
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), on Friday issued one of his stiffest warnings to electoral officials, stating that the commission “cannot afford to fail Nigeria” as the nation prepares for what is expected to be one of its most closely watched elections even as the 2027 general polls draw near.
Speaking during a working visit to the INEC headquarters in Minna, Niger State, Amupitan reminded staff that the credibility of the 2027 elections would determine not only Nigerians’ confidence in democracy but also the country’s international reputation, insisting that every member of the commission must uphold integrity and professionalism.
He said the January 16 presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by the February 6 governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls, would be conducted under intense scrutiny from both local and international observers.
“The whole world is watching us,” the INEC chairman declared.
According to him, Nigeria’s elections have already become a major point of global interest, revealing that electoral management bodies across Africa, as well as international observer missions, are preparing to monitor the country’s democratic process.
“I just returned from an African Union meeting in Egypt involving Electoral Management Bodies across Africa, and everyone expressed their desire to come and monitor Nigeria’s elections,” he said.
“You are our ambassadors and you cannot afford to fail. We must conduct these elections in a highly professional manner.”
The remarks come amid heightened public expectations for a transparent electoral process following controversies that trailed previous elections and increasing demands for institutional reforms ahead of the 2027 polls.
Amupitan assured Nigerians that the commission was taking deliberate steps to avoid operational failures experienced in previous elections, saying INEC was strengthening logistics, transportation, infrastructure and operational capacity nationwide.
“We do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past,” he said.
“My goal is to ensure that we improve on our performance continuously.”
Nine months after assuming office, the INEC chairman said restoring public confidence in the electoral body remains his foremost priority, stressing that the commission’s success would ultimately depend on the integrity of officials deployed across the country’s polling units.
He warned that the era of compromise was over.
“There should be no compromise whatsoever,” he said, announcing a new performance-based reward system for diligent workers while warning that acts of misconduct would attract severe administrative sanctions.
“We have decided to introduce rewards for hard work, but if there is any misconduct, there will be serious consequences.
“Work hard, work selflessly, shun corruption and let us give the Nigerian people what they truly desire.”
The commission also moved to address long-standing welfare concerns among its workforce.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC has begun a comprehensive review of staff welfare packages nationwide, describing poor remuneration as one of the first issues he identified upon assuming office.
He said improving workers’ welfare would enhance morale and productivity, thereby strengthening the commission’s capacity to deliver credible elections.
“When I assumed office, I discovered that the welfare package for INEC staff was among the lowest in the country,” he said.
“To boost your morale, the commission decided to take this issue head-on. When the results begin to manifest, you will appreciate our commitment.”
Linking credible elections to national development, the INEC chairman maintained that Nigeria’s democratic stability depends largely on the commission’s independence and efficiency.
“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,” he stated.
As part of his visit, Amupitan also inspected the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise at the commission’s headquarters in Minna, where he assessed the registration process as INEC intensifies preparations for what many analysts describe as a defining election for Nigeria’s democracy.
His latest remarks reinforce the commission’s determination to rebuild public trust while sending a clear message to electoral officials that the success or failure of the 2027 general elections will largely rest on their integrity, professionalism and commitment to delivering a credible vote.
, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), on Friday issued one of his stiffest warnings to electoral officials, stating that the commission "cannot afford to fail Nigeria" as the nation prepares for what is expected to be one of its most closely watched elections even as the 2027 general polls draw near.){kind=link}