The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has warned officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Borno State to avoid corrupt practices, including result manipulation and the compromise of electoral procedures, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner overseeing Borno and Yobe states, Linus Gubbi, gave the warning in Maiduguri on Wednesday during a sensitisation workshop organised for INEC personnel on their role in ensuring free, fair and credible elections.

Gubbi said the training was aimed at promoting integrity, accountability and transparency among public officials, particularly those directly involved in the conduct of elections.

“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 said.

He noted that the ICPC’s preventive mandate made it necessary to educate electoral officials on the dangers of corruption and the importance of upholding integrity throughout the electoral process.

“As part of our mandate to prevent corrupt practices, we consider this sensitisation very important in enlightening officials directly involved in elections on the need to shun all forms of corruption and uphold integrity in the conduct of elections,” Gubbi said.

He identified result manipulation, abuse of office, acceptance of inducements and failure to follow established electoral guidelines as forms of electoral corruption, warning that offenders would face sanctions.

“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 tension, undermines peace and development, and exposes individuals to sanctions,” he said.

Gubbi commended the Borno State INEC office for its cooperation in organising the workshop and urged sustained collaboration between both institutions to strengthen electoral integrity.

“I commend the INEC Borno office for its prompt response, cooperation and mobilisation of staff for this sensitisation workshop. I also appreciate all participants for making time to engage in this critical assignment,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the commission, the Head of General Administration at the Borno State INEC office, Sadiq Grema, described the workshop as enlightening.

“I feel very delighted because there are things I initially did not know existed, but I now know them,” Grema said.

He also praised the anti-graft agency for its engagement with the electoral body, saying, “We have been working with many government agencies, but I must say the ICPC has been one of the best.”