The Independent National Electoral Commission has partnered with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to strengthen electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 General Elections, with the commencement of a two-day Anti-Corruption Education and Sensitisation Workshop for its staff in Abuja.
The workshop, themed “Corruption-Free Election: Integrity Matters (C-FEIM),” opened on Monday at the commission’s headquarters and is aimed at equipping electoral personnel with the knowledge, ethical standards, and practical tools required to prevent corruption and uphold transparency throughout the electoral process.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu described the initiative as timely, coming as preparations gradually gather momentum for the 2027 General Elections.
She stressed that INEC, as Nigeria’s electoral umpire, has a duty not only to conduct elections but also to promote the values that sustain democracy.
According to her, elections remain the bedrock of democratic governance, warning that any compromise in the electoral process weakens public confidence in institutions and ultimately undermines national development.
Agbamuche-Mbu commended ICPC for facilitating the workshop, saying the programme was designed to enhance the capacity of electoral officials, expose them to best practices in election management, and generate practical recommendations that would guide the commission’s operations during future elections.
She disclosed that ICPC had provided experienced resource persons to facilitate the sessions over the two-day programme and encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, ask probing questions, and maximise networking opportunities throughout the workshop.
The National Commissioner also thanked members of staff for prioritising the training despite competing official responsibilities, noting that their participation demonstrated commitment to strengthening institutional integrity.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of ICPC, Musa Adamu, who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Legal Services, Henry Emore, described corruption as one of the greatest impediments to national development in the modern era.
Emore said the workshop’s theme reflected ICPC’s determination to support government initiatives aimed at delivering elections that are free, fair, credible, and transparent.
He observed that electoral malpractice and corruption impose significant financial and social costs on the country, noting that flawed elections often lead to expensive supplementary polls, increased security deployments, and a rise in petitions and legal disputes that place additional pressure on institutions, including the anti-corruption agency.
He described elections as defining moments in the life of every democratic nation and emphasised that the enormous responsibility entrusted to INEC demands the highest standards of accountability, professionalism, and transparency.
According to him, tackling corruption requires collective responsibility, which informed ICPC’s collaboration with INEC to train electoral officers and reinforce ethical conduct within the electoral management system.
Emore also praised INEC officials for their dedication and sacrifice, acknowledging the risks many electoral personnel face while carrying out election duties across the country.
He expressed optimism that the knowledge and recommendations emerging from the workshop would contribute significantly to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process and enhancing public confidence in future elections.
