Eid-el-Fitr: Amupitan Urges Staff, Nigerians to Uphold Electoral Integrity Ahead Ekiti,Osun Polls.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has urged the Commission’s workforce and Nigerians to translate the discipline of Ramadan into a renewed commitment to electoral integrity.
In an Eid-el-Fitr message issued on Friday, March 20, 2026, Amupitan described the end of the fasting period as a victory of spirit over self, calling it a defining moment as INEC prepares for the 2026 off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as the 2027 general election.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, the INEC Chairman noted that this year’s Ramadan coincided with the Christian Lenten season, stressing that the overlap highlights a shared national responsibility.
“Seeing both faiths within the Commission engaged in simultaneous fasting and intercession reinforces my belief in our shared humanity,” Amupitan said. “The lessons of Ramadan patience, integrity and empathy—are the virtues required as we approach critical milestones in 2026.”
Addressing over 14,000 INEC staff across the 774 local government areas, he reaffirmed his commitment to staff welfare, citing the recent organisation of an Iftar gathering the first in eight years as part of a staff-focused policy.
Amupitan also stressed that professionalism remains non negotiable, urging workers to adopt zero tolerance for misconduct in a bid to curb voter apathy and rebuild public confidence in the electoral process.
The message comes at a crucial period for Nigeria’s electoral body. Since assuming office on October 23, 2025, the chairman has initiated reforms aimed at modernising INEC’s operations and strengthening institutional capacity.
The Commission is currently implementing provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates stricter use of technological tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun are expected to serve as a key test of these reforms ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC, with a workforce of over 14,000, says it is prioritising internal discipline and improved working conditions as part of efforts to safeguard the electoral process from undue external influence.
