Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has urged the Commission’s staff nationwide to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan by embracing discipline, integrity and professionalism ahead of the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
In an Eid-el-Fitr message issued on Friday in Abuja, Amupitan said the successful completion of the Ramadan fast should inspire a renewed commitment to credible elections as the Commission prepares for the off-cycle governorship polls and the 2027 General Election.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the INEC boss said the values of patience, empathy and integrity reflected during Ramadan are critical to restoring public trust and combating voter apathy.
He also noted the coincidence of Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season this year, saying the simultaneous observance by both faiths within the Commission underscores a shared responsibility toward national service and the Nigerian democratic project.
Amupitan, who oversees over 14,000 staff across the 774 local government areas, reaffirmed that staff welfare remains a priority, citing the recent Iftar at the Commission as the first in eight years.
He, however, stressed that welfare must be matched with discipline and a zero-tolerance stance on misconduct as INEC prepares to test its reforms in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections under the Electoral Act 2026.
