By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Minna (Niger) Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has urged staff members of the commission to work selflessly and uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Amupitan stated this on Friday in Minna, Niger during an official working visit and interactive session with the commission’s management and staff at the state headquarters.
He said that the commission cannot afford to fail Nigerians in the upcoming 2027 general elections
Amupitan warned staff members against any form of compromise, noting that the attention of Nigerians and the international community, including African Union and foreign election observation missions, was already focused on Nigeria’s forthcoming electoral process.
“Note that you are our ambassadors and you cannot afford to fail. The general election is coming up on Jan. 16 (2017) for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and Feb. 6 for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.
“The whole world, not just Nigerians, is looking up to INEC. I just returned from an African Union meeting in Egypt involving all the EMBs (Electoral Management Bodies) in Africa, and everyone expressed their desire to come and monitor Nigeria’s elections.
“So, the whole world is watching us. We must conduct the election in a highly professional manner,” he said.
Amupitan assured the workers that the commission was working assiduously to improve logistics, infrastructure and transport fleets across all state offices ahead of the polls.
“We do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. My goal is to ensure that we improve on our performance continuously,” he added.
Reflecting on his journey nine months after assuming office as INEC chairman, Amupitan reaffirmed his commitment to rebuilding public trust in the commission through transparent, free, fair and credible elections.
He stressed that the commission’s resolve to build a revitalised INEC capable of earning the confidence of Nigerians could only be achieved through the dedication and integrity of field personnel at the grassroots.
The INEC chairman announced that while hard work would be recognised and rewarded, administrative misconduct would attract strict sanctions.
“We must learn from the lessons of past elections. There should be no compromise whatsoever. 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,” he urged.
On employees’ welfare, the INEC chief said that the commission had commenced a comprehensive review of staff packages across the country to boost morale and foster optimal performance.
He recalled that when he assumed office, he identified staff welfare as one of the most critical areas requiring urgent intervention.
“We play a pivotal role in ensuring that Nigeria moves into the committee 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.
“When I assumed office, I discovered that the welfare package for INEC staff was among the lowest in the country.
“To boost your morale, the commission decided to take this issue head-on. When the results begin to manifest, you will appreciate our commitment,” he assured.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amupitan also monitored the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise at a centre located within the INEC state headquarters.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)