The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has vowed to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and credible.
Amupitan made the pledge on Thursday while addressing INEC staff for the first time shortly after being sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He described his appointment as a divine responsibility and emphasized that his foremost task is to rebuild trust among voters so they can believe that their votes truly count.
“One of our key goals is to restore electoral confidence in the electorate. Let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of all elections,” he said.
Amupitan identified the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State as his immediate focus, urging INEC staff to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in delivering a transparent process.
He also assured staff of improved welfare and better working conditions, stressing that motivation is essential for effective performance.
“I assure you that we’ll 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.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, the INEC Chairman maintained that the Commission must never compromise its values or processes. “The integrity of our elections is not something we should even negotiate. The tasks may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve,” Amupitan added.