INEC Chairman Charges Staff Co-operative to Uphold Transparency, Accountability

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on the leadership of the Commission’s Staff Multi-Purpose Co-Operative Society to strictly uphold the core values of transparency, integrity and accountability.

Amupitan made the call in his keynote address at the Society’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, and election.

He urged the co-operative’s executive to be prudent in managing members’ funds and to ensure free, fair and credible internal elections.

According to him, corruption and mismanagement must have no place in the operations of the society.

“Corruption, in any form, is a poison to any institution, especially one built on collective trust,” he said.

Emphasizing the co-operative’s mandate, Amupitan stressed that members’ welfare must remain the top priority, particularly given the current economic challenges.

“As the custodian of the electoral process, I must impress upon the leadership of this great society, both outgoing and incoming, a critical set of values that must be non-negotiable.

“First, you must prioritise deft financial management and transparency. The co-operative money belongs to its members, and the executive is merely a trustee.

“Your books must be open, your transactions traceable, and your decisions justifiable,” he stated.

He further warned against misuse of funds, saying: “Co-operative money is not for party celebrations. Every naira must be accounted for and dedicated to profitable ventures to improve members’ welfare.”

The INEC chairman also reiterated that the society must maintain a level playing field in the allocation of loans and benefits.

He said every member—regardless of rank or influence—must have equal access to the society’s packages.

“The exco must be guided at all times by the rules of the multipurpose society and the principles of fairness, justice and equity,” he added.

Amupitan said that with strong investment focus and forward-thinking strategies, the cooperative can build a more resilient future for members.