By Happiness Samuel

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has charged officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Borno State to shun corrupt practices, including result manipulation and compromise of electoral procedures, ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission overseeing Borno and Yobe states, Linus Gubbi, gave the warning in Maiduguri on Wednesday during an event organized to sensitize INEC officials on their role in promoting free, fair and credible elections.

He said the workshop was organized to promote integrity, accountability and transparency in public service, particularly among officers involved in the electoral process.

Gubbi 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.”

He added, “As part of our mandate at ICPC to prevent corrupt practices, we find this sensitization 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 identified electoral corrupt practices to include result manipulation, abuse of office and collection of inducements, warning that such actions attract 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 stressed.

He, however, commended the officials for participating in the session and called for greater collaboration to strengthen the electoral process.

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

On his part, the Head of Department, General Administration, INEC in the state, Sadiq Grema, expressed satisfaction with 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.