The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, on Tuesday administered the oath of office to Prof. Rahmon Tella, formally reinstating him as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Oyo State. The ceremony, held on 25 November 2025, underscored the commission’s renewed commitment to integrity, professionalism and credible elections nationwide.
Marked by a sense of solemnity and institutional discipline, the swearing-in was presided over by Prof. Amupitan, whose leadership has been widely described as ushering in a new era of accountability within INEC. In his opening remarks, staff and observers praised him as the architect of a transformed commission driven by principle, punctuality and unwavering adherence to due process.
Administering the oath, the INEC chairman stressed the seriousness of the responsibility now resting on Prof. Tella. “An occasion of an oath-taking is a solemn occasion. It is an occasion that calls to duty,” Amupitan said, reminding the new REC that his redeployment places him at a strategic frontline in the nation’s democratic journey.
In a forceful and clarity-filled keynote charge, Prof. Amupitan declared that INEC’s mission under his stewardship is both “a moral and legal duty” owed to the Nigerian people. He warned that the integrity of elections in Oyo State — and across the federation — “is not negotiable.” He added: “You must uphold the highest standard of professionalism and integrity in every action you take… Any compromise on our values or our procedures shall not be tolerated.”
Outlining his expectations, the chairman tasked Prof. Tella with restoring and deepening public confidence in the electoral process. He urged him to serve as “a beacon of hope and democratic values,” working in line with the commission’s strategic reforms to guarantee that every voter believes firmly that their ballot truly counts.
Responding after taking his oath, Prof. Tella expressed gratitude to the INEC chairman and acknowledged the weight of the expectations placed on him. He pledged to align fully with the commission’s renewed vision. “The honourable chairman’s remarks are very much being with value and experience,” he said, committing to uphold the standards demanded by the Amupitan-led INEC.
