Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day Anti-Corruption Education and Sensitisation Workshop for its staff, themed "Corruption-Free Election: Integrity Matters (C-FEIM)," in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election. The workshop, which opened on Monday, 6 July 2026, at the Commission's headquarters in Abuja, is designed to build capacity, share best practices, and produce actionable recommendations to guide INEC staff during the electoral process. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, declared the workshop open, represented by National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who described the training as timely given the approaching electoral cycle.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said the Commission, as the nation's electoral umpire, bore the responsibility to lead conversations that shape national values, noting that elections remained the foundation of democracy. She stressed that when elections are compromised, public trust is eroded and the nation suffers as a result. "When elections are compromised, public trust is eroded and the nation suffers as a result," she said. The Commissioner commended the ICPC for facilitating the workshop, noting that the commission was providing resource persons for the two-day training. She urged participants to prioritise the exercise over other engagements, contribute freely, ask critical questions, and network during the sessions.
In his remarks, the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu, SAN, represented by the Director of Legal Services, ICPC, Mr. Henry Emore, said corruption remained one of the biggest factors hindering development in the 21st century. Mr. Emore said the theme of the workshop reflected ICPC's commitment to supporting government programmes aimed at ensuring free, fair, and equitable elections. He noted that when the electoral process is devoid of integrity and marred by malpractice, government spends more to conduct supplementary elections and to maintain law and order, while agencies such as ICPC are stretched by a surge of petitions and litigation. Mr. Emore described elections as defining moments for a nation, and said the responsibility placed on INEC required the highest level of accountability, responsibility, and transparency.
The ICPC Director emphasised that the fight against corruption required collective action, which was why the commission was partnering with INEC on the workshop for electoral officers. He commended electoral officers for their courage and commitment, describing them as persons who put their lives on the line in service to the country. He expressed hope that discussions from the workshop would strengthen the conduct of free, fair, and equitable elections in Nigeria. The training comes amid growing concerns over the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process, with civil society organisations and political observers calling for strengthened institutional capacity to prevent vote-buying, result manipulation, and other forms of electoral malpractice.
The partnership between INEC and ICPC reflects a broader recognition that corruption in the electoral process undermines democratic governance and imposes significant costs on the nation. When elections are compromised, public trust is eroded, and the legitimacy of elected officials is called into question, leading to political instability, litigation, and in some cases, violence. The ICPC has previously collaborated with INEC on various anti-corruption initiatives, including the deployment of observers to monitor elections and the prosecution of individuals involved in electoral fraud. The workshop is expected to equip INEC staff with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and prevent corrupt practices, safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, and uphold public confidence in the Commission's operations.
The 2027 General Election is expected to be one of the most closely watched in Nigeria's history, with the Independent National Electoral Commission facing mounting pressure to deliver a credible process following the controversies that marred the 2023 elections. The Commission has been working to implement electoral reforms, including the deployment of technology to enhance transparency and reduce the risk of manipulation. The partnership with ICPC is part of a broader strategy to strengthen institutional integrity and ensure that the electoral process reflects the will of the Nigerian people. As the two-day workshop continues, the participants are expected to produce actionable recommendations that will guide the Commission's preparations for the 2027 elections, ensuring that integrity remains at the heart of Nigeria's democratic process.
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