The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has officially assumed office.
Addressing staff members for the first time shortly after being sworn in by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, Amupitan emphasised that one of his top priorities is restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, ensuring that citizens believe their votes truly count.
He stated that his immediate focus would be the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, urging INEC staff to uphold integrity and deliver a credible poll.
Professor Amupitan also pledged to prioritise staff welfare, assuring workers that his administration would strive to create a conducive working environment and provide adequate resources to help them perform effectively.
Acknowledging the enormity of the task ahead, the INEC boss described his appointment as divine, calling on staff to remain steadfast in protecting the values of democracy.
“Let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly to ensure the credibility of all elections,” he said. “We must not compromise our values or processes—there are consequences. The integrity of our elections is non-negotiable. The tasks may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”
He added, “I assure you that we will work diligently and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are improved and that our staff are equipped with the necessary tools to excel.”
