The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Tuesday administered the oath of office to Prof. Adeniran Tella as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), urging him to uphold the highest standards of electoral integrity.
Speaking at the ceremony at INEC headquarters in Abuja, Amupitan stressed that the integrity of Nigeria’s elections is non-negotiable and warned that any compromise on the commission’s core values would not be tolerated.
He described Tella’s appointment, who has been posted to Oyo State, as a “profound responsibility,” placing him at the forefront of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“Your role as a REC is absolutely critical to the success of this democratic project. I charge you to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in every action you take,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman urged Tella to prioritise transparency, adhere strictly to the Electoral Act, and ensure that any misconduct—whether by omission or commission—is not accepted.
“Your primary goal must be to instil confidence in voters that their choice truly counts. We are resolved to combat all forms of election rigging, including vote-buying,” he added.
Tella pledged to maintain professionalism, strictly follow the Electoral Act and the Constitution, and safeguard the will of the people. Drawing on his experience in public administration and electoral management, he highlighted his organisational and problem-solving skills.
“I will ensure that the implementation of the result management system is topnotch in any state I am assigned to,” he said, noting that result management remains a grey area in elections.
He identified key priorities, including real-time transmission and public display of results, continuous training of election officials, and improved voter sensitisation, particularly in remote areas.
On technology, Tella stressed the importance of pre-election testing, robust backup systems, and engaging cyber-security experts to protect the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He also pledged an open-door policy and collaboration with INEC staff to ensure Oyo State becomes “a beacon of hope and democratic values.”
