The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a strict warning to its personnel, urging them to maintain absolute neutrality and professionalism as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Specifically, INEC National Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), delivered the warning during an interactive session with commission staff from the South-East zone in Enugu.
Amupitan emphasized that partisan alignment among electoral officers threatens the credibility of the ballot.
Furthermore, he warned that the commission will enforce strict penalties against unethical conduct across local, state, and national tiers.
“You should not pick interest in any political party: be neutral and firm,” Amupitan stated. “The commission will not take unprofessional or unethical electoral conduct from any staff.”
Welfare Boost and Special Salary Structure
To insulate personnel from financial inducement, the electoral chief announced that the commission is actively pursuing a special salary structure.
Consequently, the revised remuneration framework is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2027, covering staff across all cadres.
In addition, management is collaborating with relevant government agencies to secure immediate cash-backing for the new wage package.
Meanwhile, the leadership believes better financial security will discourage electoral compromise before, during, and after voting exercises.
Controversy Trails Senior Staff Redeployment
In a related development, the commission’s recent administrative reshuffle sparked public debate regarding internal postings.
INEC recently redeployed Oluyemi Adeyemi-Showunmi from her previous role as Lagos State Administrative Secretary to head the Electoral Operations Department at the national headquarters.
The movement also affected Isah Gummi, who transitioned from Electoral Operations to lead the Voter Registry Department.
However, public insinuations emerged linking the redeployment to political affiliations, prompting a sharp defense from her husband, Segun Showunmi.
Showunmi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, rejected claims that the posting was political compensation.
He clarified that his wife is a career civil servant who has dedicated her entire professional life to INEC since completing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.
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