Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has urged staff to uphold the highest professionalism as Nigeria approaches critical electoral milestones across the country in the coming months.

In his 2026 International Workers’ Day message to staff in Abuja on Friday, titled “The Dignity of Service,” Mr Amupitan described the commission’s 14,000 employees as the silent engine driving Nigeria’s democracy forward.

He said the nation’s stability rests on the dedication of electoral workers, praising their administrative excellence during the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections held earlier this year.

“That success was not a product of chance; it was the result of your collective sweat, late-night strategy sessions, and an unyielding commitment to excellence,” he said.

The chairman noted that despite recent achievements, electoral work demands constant preparation, particularly ahead of upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states and the implementation of the 2027 roadmap.

“I charge you to remain the reliable professionals the nation expects. Our task is more than logistical; it is a labour of trust built on integrity and accountability,” Mr Amupitan said.

“Every ballot processed and every result transmitted is a testament to the integrity of the Nigerian worker,” he added, urging staff to remain committed to credible and transparent electoral processes nationwide.

Mr Amupitan reaffirmed his commitment to transforming INEC into a workplace of the future, prioritising staff welfare and digital empowerment, while ensuring systems support efficient and transparent election management across all levels.

He pledged that merit would remain the only currency for career advancement, ensuring all staff were equipped and motivated to meet the evolving demands of modern election administration in Nigeria.

The INEC boss urged staff to use the May Day holiday for reflection and strengthening solidarity, emphasising unity and shared purpose in delivering credible elections that inspire public confidence nationwide.

“We are one team, bound by one mission: to deliver an electoral process beyond reproach. Your labour shall not be in vain,” he said, linking credible elections to national prosperity. 

(NAN)