The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to stamping out election malpractices in Nigeria, with the Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan vowing a stepped-up battle against all forms of electoral malpractices, including the persistent menace of vote-buying.
Prof. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made the declaration on Tuesday, 23rd December, 2025 during the swearing-in ceremony of Prof. Adeniran Tella as a new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abuja. He described the occasion as both solemn and a call to duty for the incoming REC, tasking him with upholding INEC’s core values of transparency, professionalism and strict compliance with the Electoral Act.
“We are resolved to combat all forms of election rigging, including the menace of vote-buying,” Amupitan said, adding that the credibility of the electoral system is non-negotiable and foundational to Nigeria’s democratic project. He warned that misconduct, “whether by omission or commission” would not be tolerated.
The INEC boss emphasised that his tenure is guided by a clear mandate to deliver free, fair, credible and inclusive elections that genuinely reflect the will of Nigerians. He also charged the newly sworn-in REC to work with INEC staff to make his assigned state a model of democratic values and professionalism.
Amupitan’s remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny over electoral integrity, with civil society groups urging stronger action against vote-buying and other inducements that undermine voters’ free choice. Recent elections, including the 2025 Anambra governorship poll, saw widespread concerns about inducement and undue influence, prompting calls for prosecutions and closer collaboration with anticorruption agencies.
The commission’s renewed focus signals a determined push ahead of future electoral contests to bolster public trust and protect the democratic process from manipulation.
