ICPC Urges INEC Officials in Borno to Avoid Corruption Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has warned officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Borno State to avoid corrupt acts, including manipulating results and compromising electoral processes. This warning comes as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Linus Gubbi, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Borno and Yobe states, gave this warning in Maiduguri on Wednesday. He spoke during an event aimed at educating INEC officials on their role in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.

Gubbi explained that the workshop aimed to promote integrity, accountability, and transparency among public service officers, especially those involved in the electoral process.

He said, “Democracy is about free, fair, and credible elections. The credibility of elections depends on the character and compliance culture of those entrusted with conducting them.”

Gubbi further stated, “As part of our mandate at ICPC to prevent corrupt practices, we find this sensitisation very key to enlightening officials who are directly involved in the electoral process on the need to be free from all forms of corrupt practices and imbibe integrity in the conduct of elections.”

The ICPC official listed electoral corrupt practices as including result manipulation, abuse of office, and accepting bribes. He warned that such actions would lead to serious consequences.

He said, “Corruption in the electoral process, whether through inducement, compromise of procedures, manipulation of results, abuse of office, or failure to follow laid-down guidelines, has serious consequences. It erodes public trust, fuels tensions, undermines peace and development, and also exposes individuals to sanctions.”

Gubbi praised the officials for attending the workshop and urged them to work together to strengthen the electoral process.

“I commend the INEC Borno office for its quick response, cooperation, and mobilisation of staff for this sensitisation workshop. I appreciate all participants for creating time to engage on this critical assignment,” he said.

Sadiq Grema, the Head of Department, General Administration at INEC in the state, shared his thoughts on the training.

“I feel very delighted because there are things that I initially did not know existed, but I now know them. We have been working with many agencies of government, but I must say that the ICPC has been one of the best,” Grema added.