Opposition parties and civil society groups have called on the newly appointed Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to place national interest and electoral credibility above political loyalty, as he assumes office following a turbulent electoral cycle.
Professor Amupitan, who succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu after a decade at the helm of the commission, has been described as a distinguished legal scholar and administrator. However, critics say his real test lies not in his credentials but in his ability to restore public confidence in a system marred by the controversies of the 2023 general elections.
ADC: Loyalty must be to the people, not government
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) cautioned Amupitan to remain loyal to the Nigerian people rather than the administration that appointed him. In a statement released yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stressed the importance of rebuilding electoral trust.
“The new chairman must understand that his loyalty is with the Nigerian people, not the government,” Abdullahi said. He noted that while the party was willing to give Amupitan the benefit of the doubt based on his track record, he must seize the opportunity to build a legacy founded on integrity.
“He now has the chance to make a good name for himself that his children will be proud of, or to soil his record and end up with ignominy,” Abdullahi warned, urging the INEC chief to look beyond the interests of his appointors and prepare for challenges that will stretch beyond a single election cycle.
CUPP: 2023 polls were a ‘Spectacle of glitches, disillusionment’
Echoing similar sentiments, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) said the credibility of the commission had suffered significant damage and must be urgently rebuilt.
CUPP’s National Secretary, Peter Ameh, praised Amupitan’s “record of integrity and academic distinction,” but warned that Nigerians would ultimately judge him by his actions, not his titles.
“Prof Amupitan’s scholarly depth in corporate governance, evidence law, and privatisation uniquely equips him to navigate the complex terrain of electoral administration. However, Nigerians will judge him not by his credentials, but by his courage to act,” said Ameh.
He described the 2023 general elections, touted as Nigeria’s most technologically advanced, as a colossal failure. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which were meant to ensure transparency, were plagued by technical glitches that disenfranchised voters and fuelled allegations of manipulation.
“Fewer than 25 per cent of polling unit results were uploaded to IReV in real time,” Ameh noted, adding that domestic and international observers documented vote buying, over-voting, and result falsification.
CUPP urged the new chairman to prioritise technological integrity, transparency, and collaboration with political stakeholders. It also called on Amupitan to revisit the 2008 Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Report, which identified five critical issues: state interference, weak institutions, toxic political culture, legal loopholes, and compromised autonomy.
“Only by embracing the omoluabi ethos, character, courage, and conscience, can INEC become a truly independent electoral umpire,” Ameh concluded.
Obi demands certificate verification before 2027 elections
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has added his voice to the growing calls for electoral reform. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Obi urged INEC and relevant authorities to verify the academic and professional certificates of all political candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
He described the resignation of Minister Uche Nnaji over discrepancies in his academic records as “a decent and honourable step,” citing it alongside the earlier resignation of Kemi Adeosun under President Buhari as evidence of the seriousness of certificate scandals.
“These instances remind us that such matters are not trivial; they constitute serious criminal offences,” Obi said. He called for immediate due diligence on all submitted credentials, warning that continued tolerance of forgery and false claims would further erode public trust in the democratic process.
“Truth, transparency, and accountability must underpin Nigeria’s leadership,” he emphasised, urging INEC to investigate past complaints and publish findings for public scrutiny.
APC welcomes appointment, assures cooperation
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has pledged full cooperation with the new INEC boss. Speaking on behalf of the party, Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko welcomed Amupitan’s appointment as a well-considered decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We have confidence in him and have no reason to oppose that decision,” Meseko stated. “The APC will work with him within the ambit of the law.”
Senator Steve Karimi of Kogi West also applauded the appointment, describing Amupitan as “one of Nigeria’s finest scholars” and a “pan-Nigerian” with a track record of impartiality and academic excellence. The Kogi State Government joined in the commendations, saying the appointment reflects the President’s commitment to merit and inclusiveness.
Action Alliance denies court ordered Mahmood Yakubu’s arrest
In a related development, the Action Alliance (AA) has debunked reports that a Federal High Court in Osogbo ordered the arrest of former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
AA’s National Chairman, Kenneth Udeze, described the reports as false and the product of impostors attempting to sow confusion. He insisted no such court order exists and dismissed the purported judgement as fraudulent.
“After losing several cases at the FCT High Court, the Federal High Court, and the Court of Appeal, Omoaje and his agents clandestinely ran to Osogbo to obtain a fraudulent judgment,” Udeze said, reaffirming his faction’s legal authority and urging party members to remain calm.
A test of integrity for Nigeria’s democracy
As Professor Amupitan assumes office at a time of immense scrutiny and distrust, all eyes will be on the new INEC chairman to deliver on the promise of credible, transparent, and inclusive elections. With off-cycle gubernatorial polls and the 2027 general elections ahead, the road to redemption for Nigeria’s electoral body may be long—but not impossible.
