Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged the leadership of the Commission’s Staff Multi-Purpose Co-Operative Society to adhere to the commission’s core values of transparency, integrity, and accountability.
The INEC boss stressed that there must be zero tolerance for corruption and mismanagement of members’ savings, adding that “corruption, in any form, is a poison to any institution, especially one built on collective trust.”
Highlighting the co-operative’s core purpose, Amupitan also emphasized the importance of safeguarding members’ welfare, particularly in the current challenging economic climate. “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,” he added.
Prof Amupitan urged the leadership to prioritize sound financial management and transparency, reminding them that the co-operative’s funds belong to its members and that the executives serve merely as trustees. He stressed that all books must be open, transactions traceable, and decisions fully justifiable.
He also called for a strict stance against corruption, emphasizing absolute accountability. “Corruption in any form is a poison to any institution, especially one built on collective trust. There must be zero tolerance for the mismanagement of members’ savings. Every naira must be accounted for and dedicated to profitable ventures that enhance members’ welfare. The core purpose of the co-operative is members’ welfare, and in these challenging economic times, it serves as a reliable means for staff to save and support one another,” he said.
