The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has called on staff members of the commission to remain committed to professionalism, sacrifice and integrity as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir across the country.
In his 2026 Eid-el-Kabir message issued on Wednesday, Amupitan congratulated Muslim staff members and described the festival as a period of reflection on obedience, selflessness and devotion.
“As the Muslim Ummah celebrates this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, I extend my warmest felicitations to all our Muslim colleagues within the Commission,” he said.
According to him, the festival reflects the values of obedience, sacrifice and commitment to higher principles beyond personal comfort.
The INEC chairman said the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir align with the responsibilities of election managers, noting that managing Nigeria’s democracy requires dedication and discipline.
“For us as election managers, the essence of this festival resonates with a very clear, professional urgency.
“The institutional assignment committed to our care by the Nigerian people requires an unmatched level of personal sacrifice and steadfastness. Managing our democracy is a high-stakes, around-the-clock duty that frequently demands long hours away from our families and comfort zones,” he said.
Amupitan urged staff members to remain committed to constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act and the commission’s code of conduct.
“Just as the patriarch Abraham demonstrated unflinching obedience to a higher call, we too must remain resolutely compliant with the constitutional guardrails, the Electoral Act, and our administrative codes of conduct,” he stated.
He also said the commission had entered a critical operational phase following recent field engagements and readiness assessments in Ekiti State ahead of off-cycle governorship elections and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“This year’s celebration meets the Commission at a vital operational turning point.
“Following our highly successful field engagements and readiness assessments in Ekiti, we are now on the immediate frontline of critical off-cycle governorship polls, even as we systematically consolidate our frameworks for the 2027 General Election,” he said.
The INEC chairman stressed that the values of compliance, precision and effective execution must guide the commission’s operations.
“The lessons of Eid-el-Kabir must therefore serve as the bedrock of our current deployment strategies. Compliance, precision, and surgical execution are non-negotiable standards as we work to eliminate logistical friction and secure the absolute trust of the electorate,” he added.
Amupitan also assured staff members of continued support and improved welfare packages from the commission’s leadership.
“I must reinforce my unwavering pledge to you: your welfare remains the cornerstone of my leadership agenda.
“We are working assiduously to ensure that your dedication on the field is met with the robust welfare packages, security protections, and institutional backing you richly deserve,” he said.
He urged workers to use the festive period to renew their commitment to national service and the integrity of the electoral process.
“As you share the blessings of this season with your loved ones and the underprivileged, let us re-consecrate our hands to the service of our nation.
“Let our collective sacrifices build an electoral umpire that remains completely beyond reproach, fiercely independent, and a source of enduring pride for all Nigerians,” he said.
Amupitan wished Nigerians and members of staff of the commission a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
“I wish you all a peaceful, rewarding, and joyful celebration. Barkah da Sallah. God bless our dedicated staff, God bless INEC, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
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