Prof. Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, stated on Tuesday that he is determined "to combat all forms of election rigging, including the menace of vote-buying." He said that because "the eyes of the nation are upon us," this was no longer negotiable. The public's faith in INEC is priceless. Prof. Adeniran Tella was sworn in as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Oyo State by Amupitan, who assumed the position of INEC's head in October.
As part of INEC's continuous efforts to improve electoral administration nationwide, Tella was redeployed to Oyo at the event, which took place at the commission's headquarters.
Amupitan emphasized the importance of the obligation in his speech, calling the occasion "a solemn occasion; an occasion of call to duty."
"You are at the forefront of Nigeria's democratic journey in one of our states, which is a great responsibility."
"The credibility of our electoral system is the very foundation upon which our democracy stands," stated Amupitan, reiterating the commission's commitment to fair elections.
The success of this democratic endeavor depends critically on your work as a resident electoral commissioner. I have to be clear and warn you that the integrity of our elections cannot be compromised.
Additionally, the chairman cautioned against undermining INEC's policies and principles.
"Any compromise on our values or our procedures shall not be tolerated," the don issued a warning.
"You must prioritize openness and rigorously follow all rules and procedures established by the Commission and the Electoral Act. Any wrongdoing, whether it be via deed or omission, will not be tolerated.
His main objective, he said, Tella, "must be to instill in the voters of your state the confidence that their choice truly counts."
"We are determined to stop election manipulation in all its manifestations, including the threat of vote-buying. The country's eyes are on us. The public's faith in INEC is holy, according to Amupitan.
In response to the accusation, Tella thanked Amupitan for his advice and promised to align his efforts with the commission's goal.
He remarked, "The honorable chairman's remarks are very much brimming with value and experience."
Tella, a professor of public policy and strategic management, is now the deputy dean of Atiba University's Faculty of Arts, Social, and Management Sciences in Oyo.
In the past, he represented Osun as REC in the states of Oyo and Ekiti; his first term ended in September 2025.
