Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Borno State to shun all forms of corrupt practices, including result manipulation and compromise of electoral procedures, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The commission declared that such misconduct would no longer be tolerated and warned that those found culpable would face serious consequences.
The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner overseeing Borno and Yobe states, Linus Gubbi, delivered the warning on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Maiduguri during a sensitisation workshop organised to promote integrity, accountability and transparency among electoral officers. Addressing the INEC officials, Gubbi stressed that the credibility of elections depends on the character and compliance culture of those entrusted with conducting them.
"Democracy is about free, fair and credible elections. The credibility of elections depends on the character and compliance culture of those entrusted with conducting them," Gubbi said. He added that the ICPC's mandate to prevent corrupt practices made the sensitisation programme essential for enlightening officials directly involved in the electoral process on the need to be free from all forms of corruption and to imbibe integrity in the conduct of elections.
The ICPC official identified electoral corrupt practices to include result manipulation, abuse of office and collection of inducements, warning that such actions attract severe consequences. "Corruption in the electoral process, whether through inducement, compromise of procedures, manipulation of results, abuse of office or failure to follow laid-down guidelines, has serious consequences," Gubbi said. He warned that corruption erodes public trust, fuels tensions, undermines peace and development, and exposes individuals to sanctions.
Gubbi commended the INEC Borno office for its quick response, cooperation and mobilisation of staff for the workshop, calling for greater collaboration to strengthen the electoral process. "I commend the INEC Borno office for its quick response, cooperation and mobilisation of staff for this sensitisation workshop. I appreciate all participants for creating time to engage on this critical assignment," he said.
Responding on behalf of the INEC officials, the Head of Department, General Administration of INEC in the state, Sadiq Grema, expressed satisfaction with the training, describing it as an eye-opener as the country approaches the next election cycle. "I feel very delighted because there are things that I initially did not know existed, but I now know them. We have been working with many agencies of government, but I must say that the ICPC has been one of the best," Grema said.
The sensitisation workshop is part of the ICPC's broader strategy to prevent corruption in the electoral process, with the commission having previously issued similar warnings to electoral officers nationwide. In July 2026, the ICPC had urged electoral officers to uphold transparency, accountability and professionalism as preparations gathered momentum for the 2027 general elections. The commission also held a two-day Anti-Corruption and Sensitisation Workshop for the INEC workforce themed "Corruption-Free Election: Integrity Matters!" to reinforce the message that electoral fraud undermines democracy.
The ICPC's warning to Borno INEC officials comes at a time when the commission is intensifying its anti-corruption efforts across various sectors in the state. In July 2026, the ICPC charged bank branch managers in Maiduguri to serve as the financial sector's first bulwark against graft. The commission also partnered with the Nigeria Immigration Service in Borno to combat corruption in travel document processing and curb the influx of undocumented migrants through the state's porous borders.
The 2027 general elections, comprising presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections set for February 6, 2027, are expected to be a critical test of Nigeria's electoral integrity. The ICPC's proactive engagement with INEC officials in Borno State reflects the commission's determination to prevent corruption and ensure that the electoral process is free, fair and credible. As Gubbi declared: "Democracy is about free, fair and credible elections. The credibility of elections depends on the character and compliance culture of those entrusted with conducting them".
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