INEC Enhances Electoral Training Programme As Ekiti, Osun Guber Elections Comes Closer 

Moses Ofodeme

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up efforts to strengthen the quality of its electoral training programmes with the commencement of a two-day Post-Election Training Audit (PETA) and Pre-Training Assessment Workshop (PRETA) in Abuja, as part of preparations for the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

The exercise, held at Silver Green Hotel, Abuja, from April 29 to 30, 2026, reviewed training activities deployed during the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election and the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, while setting the tone for improved training delivery ahead of forthcoming polls.

Declaring the workshop open, the Acting Director General of The Electoral Institute (TEI), Prof. Ibrahim Sani, said the audit was central to sustaining electoral credibility, noting that the performance of poll workers remains a defining factor in public confidence.

“The electorate’s perception of fairness, credibility and inclusivity of an election is largely determined by the performance of poll workers,” he said, warning that deploying poorly trained personnel poses significant risks to the integrity of elections.

He commended election officials for their performance in the Anambra and FCT elections, describing the outcomes as a reflection of improved training quality, while urging participants to critically review past exercises and propose actionable reforms.

In his welcome address, the Acting Administrative Secretary of TEI, Malam Nasiru Umar, said the audit would provide objective insights into the effectiveness of training activities and help mitigate lapses ahead of future elections.

“It is more profitable to examine what went right or wrong now that these experiences are still fresh in our minds,” he said, encouraging participants to be frank and constructive in their contributions.

Also speaking, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs. Helen Ajayi, described the combined PETA and PRETA engagements as timely and strategic, stressing that electoral training remains a critical pillar for credible elections.

She called for deeper interrogation of training processes, materials, logistics and field performance, “What worked well must be institutionalised; what did not must be improved with urgency and precision,” she said.

Providing further insight into the purpose of the workshop, the Director of Training, Dr. Binta Kasim Mohammed, in a document outlining the objectives of the PETA/PRETA exercise, said the audit is designed to comprehensively review the implementation and management of training activities for the Anambra and FCT elections, while charting a clear course for the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls.

According to her, the exercise focuses on critical components of the training cycle, including recruitment and qualification of participants, shortlisting processes, inter-departmental collaboration, and engagement with stakeholders such as the NYSC.

The objectives also cover assessment of training logistics, suitability of venues, adequacy of materials, quality of facilitation, and the effectiveness of training delivery, particularly in relation to election processes and technology deployment.

Dr. Mohammed further highlighted the importance of coordination, supervision, security at training venues, reporting systems, and the overall conduct of participants, noting that the audit would evaluate outcomes, including the performance of ad hoc personnel and the impact of training on election day operations.

She added that the exercise would also identify challenges and generate recommendations aimed at strengthening future training frameworks.

Goodwill messages were delivered by key departments of the Commission. The Director of ICT, represented by the Deputy Director, ICT, Mrs. Anthonia Idemudia, said the Commission remains committed to continuous improvement and alignment with global best practices.

“We are here because we seek to constantly improve our processes and procedures,” she said, urging participants to be open and frank in identifying areas requiring improvement.

Similarly, the Director of Electoral Operations, Mallam Isah Magagi Gumi, emphasised the importance of synergy among departments in achieving effective training outcomes.

The Commission said the combined PETA and PRETA approach underscores its commitment to institutional learning, reviewing past experiences while proactively preparing for future elections.

It expressed confidence that the outcome of the workshop would further enhance the capacity of its training architecture and consolidate gains in the delivery of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections across Nigeria.