The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has vowed to deliver credible, free, and fair elections across Nigeria, reaffirming his commitment to restoring public confidence in the electoral process.
Professor Amupitan made the pledge while addressing INEC staff for the first time on Thursday, shortly after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman emphasised that one of his foremost priorities would be rebuilding trust among the electorate, ensuring that every Nigerian voter believes their ballot truly counts.
“One of the tasks before us is to restore electoral confidence so that citizens realise their votes matter,” he said. “Let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of all elections.”
Professor Amupitan identified the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State as his immediate focus, urging INEC officials to demonstrate the Commission’s commitment to transparency and integrity in the process.
He also underscored the importance of staff welfare, describing it as a cornerstone of his leadership agenda.
“I assure you that we will work as seriously and tirelessly as possible to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are given the necessary resources to excel,” he stated.
Acknowledging the enormity of the task ahead, Amupitan described his appointment as “divine”, calling on all members of the Commission to remain steadfast and united in pursuit of credible elections.
“We must not compromise our values or processes,” he cautioned. “There are consequences. The integrity of our elections is not something we should ever negotiate. The tasks may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”
The new INEC Chairman’s remarks come amid growing public discourse on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system and enhance confidence in democratic institutions.