The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, officially administered the oath of office to Professor Rahmon Tella as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner for Oyo State on Tuesday. The ceremony took place at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja and marked Tella’s redeployment to Oyo State as part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral management nationwide.
Okay News reports that the swearing-in was carried out with “solemnity and purpose,” reflecting Amupitan’s focus on reinforcing discipline, punctuality, and integrity within the commission.
Speaking during the ceremony, Professor Amupitan emphasized the seriousness of the role, stating, “An occasion of an oath-taking is a solemn occasion. It is an occasion that calls to duty.” He added that the responsibilities of a Resident Electoral Commissioner require both moral and legal dedication to Nigeria’s democratic process.
The INEC chairman further warned against any breach of the commission’s principles, declaring, “I admonish you that the integrity of our election is not negotiable. 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.”
He also tasked Professor Tella with ensuring voters in Oyo State have confidence in the electoral process, encouraging him to serve as “a beacon of hope and democratic values.”
Responding to his swearing-in, Tella expressed gratitude for the guidance received from the INEC chairman, saying, “The honourable chairman’s remarks are very much brimming with value and experience.” He pledged to align his service with the vision and objectives of the commission.
Professor Tella, a seasoned academic in Strategic Management and Public Policy, currently serves as the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Social, and Management Sciences at Atiba University, Oyo. He has previously served as REC in Oyo and Ekiti States, representing Osun State, with his first term concluding in September 2025, according to INEC records.
