President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the construction of the new National Headquarters Annex of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja is more than just a physical development project, it is a bold reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and electoral integrity.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, Tinubu described the edifice as a symbolic and strategic investment in the nation’s democratic future.

He said, “I stand before you today to flag up the construction of a new national office, the INEC of the Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, right here in Abuja. Today’s ceremony is not merely about bricks and mortar, it is about the strength of our democracy, the independence of our institutions, and the future of our electoral integrity.

“INEC has been and remains the backbone of Nigeria’s democratic journey. Its role in conducting free, fair, and credible elections is central to the trust our people place in their government and in our democratic process. For this reason, it is only right that such a pivotal institution is housed in a structure that reflects the dignity, responsibility, and national significance of that institution.”

The president said the decision to initiate and support the building of a permanent, state-of-the-art headquarters for INEC was aimed at empowering the institution to deliver credible, transparent, and technologically advanced elections across the country.

He noted that the new INEC complex would serve not only as a workspace, but as a centre for planning, training, innovation, and electoral transparency, designed to elevate the Commission’s operational capacity and public trust.

Tinubu also issued a strong charge to the contractors and supervising agencies involved in the project, calling for strict adherence to standards, timelines, and integrity.

“Let me once again commend the leadership and the staff of INEC for their dedication to face the challenge that is necessary, and the courage to lay a stronger foundation for a democracy and bridge the institution of democratic resilience in Nigeria, to the contractors, supervisors, and stakeholders involved in this project. Let quality, speed, integrity, transparency guide your work. You are not just building an edifice, you are building trust in our nation,” he declared.

The president praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for taking the lead in the project’s realisation, describing his role as instrumental in taking a tangible step to safeguard democratic governance.

“To all Nigerians, I say this democracy is not a destination, but a journey,” he said, urging citizens to remain steadfast in safeguarding the freedoms and institutions that underpin it.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

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