The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two day Anti Corruption Education and Sensitization Workshop for its staff as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The workshop, themed “Corruption Free Election: Integrity Matters (C-FEIM),” began on Monday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Declaring the workshop open, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, represented by National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, described the training as timely, stressing that integrity remained critical to the conduct of credible elections.
She said INEC, as the nation’s electoral umpire, had a responsibility to champion values that strengthen democracy, noting that elections form the foundation of democratic governance.
According to her, when elections are compromised, public confidence in democratic institutions is undermined, with far reaching consequences for the nation.
Agbamuche-Mbu commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for partnering with INEC to organise the workshop, saying the exercise would build staff capacity, promote best practices, and generate practical recommendations to guide electoral officials during elections.
She disclosed that ICPC had provided resource persons for the two-day programme and urged participants to actively engage in discussions, ask questions, and take advantage of the networking opportunities.
Speaking at the event, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu, SAN, represented by the Commission’s Director of Legal Services, Mr. Henry Emore, described corruption as one of the greatest impediments to national development.
He said the workshop underscored ICPC’s commitment to supporting government efforts to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
Emore noted that electoral malpractice not only erodes public confidence but also increases the cost of governance through supplementary elections, heightened security deployments, and a surge in petitions and litigation handled by anti-corruption agencies.
He described elections as defining moments in a nation’s democratic journey and said the enormous responsibility placed on INEC demanded the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and integrity.
According to him, combating corruption requires collective action, explaining that the partnership with INEC was aimed at equipping electoral officers with the knowledge and ethical values needed to deliver credible elections.
He commended electoral officers for their dedication and sacrifice in serving the country, expressing confidence that the workshop would contribute to strengthening the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections in Nigeria.
