The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to strengthen its procurement systems as part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of elections in the country.
Adedokun made the call in his keynote address at a capacity-building programme for national electoral commissioners and the management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held on Monday in Lagos. The workshop, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, was organised by INEC with support from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
Speaking at the event, Adedokun emphasised that credible elections depend not only on transparent voting processes but also on sound procurement practices, which he described as central to public trust and national stability.
According to him, elections involve large-scale procurement of sensitive materials and services, including ballot papers, result sheets, technology infrastructure, logistics, and transportation, all of which must be handled with transparency and accountability to avoid compromising the electoral process.
“Elections are not just events—they are the foundation upon which public trust and national stability are built. And at the centre of credible elections lies procurement,” he said.
Adedokun noted that weak procurement systems could expose electoral processes to risks such as delays, substandard materials, inflated contracts, and manipulation, all of which could undermine public confidence in election outcomes. He therefore urged INEC to continue strengthening its procurement planning, contract management, and compliance with due process requirements.
The Director-General also stressed the importance of training and capacity building for procurement officers and electoral officials, noting that professionalism and adherence to procurement laws are essential for ensuring value for money and transparency in election spending.
He commended INEC for organising the workshop, describing it as a proactive step toward improving the commission’s operational efficiency and credibility. He added that the Bureau of Public Procurement remains committed to supporting public institutions, including INEC, in building strong procurement systems that meet international best practices.
In his remarks, INEC officials said the training programme was designed to enhance the knowledge of national electoral commissioners and senior management staff on procurement procedures, financial management, and risk assessment, particularly in preparation for future electoral activities.
The workshop also highlighted the role of international partners such as the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in supporting democratic institutions in Nigeria through technical assistance, training, and institutional support.
Participants at the programme included national electoral commissioners, directors, procurement officers, and other senior officials of the commission, who engaged in discussions on procurement planning, monitoring, evaluation, and audit processes related to election management.
Observers say the emphasis on procurement reforms is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system, improve transparency, and ensure that elections are conducted in a manner that reflects the will of the people.
With preparations for future elections expected to begin well ahead of the election cycle, stakeholders at the workshop agreed that transparent procurement processes would play a major role in ensuring that election materials are delivered on time, contracts are properly executed, and public funds are used efficiently.
They also stressed that improving procurement systems within INEC would not only enhance election credibility but also strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions and governance in Nigeria.
