Opposition parties and civic groups have called on the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, to rebuild public trust in the electoral process following the controversies that trailed the 2023 general elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) urged the new INEC boss to put national interest above political loyalty and restore faith in Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said: “Prof. Amupitan must understand that his loyalty is to the Nigerian people, not the government. He now has the chance to make a name his children will be proud of or risk his reputation for political convenience.”
Similarly, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) tasked Amupitan with the urgent duty of repairing the commission’s damaged image and ensuring technological credibility ahead of the 2027 polls.
CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ameh, described Amupitan as “a man of integrity and academic depth” with expertise in corporate governance and law but warned that Nigerians would judge him “not by his credentials, but by his courage to act.”
Ameh recalled that the 2023 general elections promoted as Nigeria’s most technologically driven ended in disappointment due to glitches in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). He lamented that only about 25 per cent of results were uploaded in real time, fuelling allegations of manipulation and loss of credibility.
He urged the new INEC chief to conduct a full audit of the BVAS and IReV systems, strengthen logistics, and deepen collaboration with political parties and civil society groups.
CUPP further advised him to revisit the 2008 Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Report, which identified weak institutions, state interference, and compromised autonomy as the root causes of Nigeria’s electoral failures.
“Amupitan has the pedigree to revive this failing institution,” Ameh said. “He must be guided by character, courage, and conscience.”
Obi Calls for Certificate Verification Before 2027 Elections
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged INEC and relevant agencies to verify the academic and professional certificates of all political candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.
In a statement titled “Certificate Integrity and the Future of Nigerian Leadership,” Obi said democracy cannot thrive without truth and transparency. He commended the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over discrepancies in his academic records, describing it as “an honourable act.”
Obi urged INEC to begin immediate verification of all credentials submitted by candidates, warning that continuous forgery and false declarations “undermine the integrity of our democracy.”
He also called for a national review of qualification and background checks for public office holders, citing Ghana’s verification model as an example.
APC, Kogi Government, Lawmakers Back Appointment
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has pledged full cooperation with the new INEC chairman. APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, described Amupitan’s appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “well-considered and constitutional.”
Senator Steve Karimi (Kogi West) also applauded the appointment, describing Amupitan as “one of Nigeria’s finest scholars and administrators.”
Karimi said: “Although he hails from Kogi West, Prof. Amupitan is a pan-Nigerian who has spent most of his academic career in Plateau State. His integrity and competence make him a fitting choice for the job.”
The Kogi State Government also hailed the President for what it termed a demonstration of inclusiveness and merit. In a statement, the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the appointment reflects Tinubu’s commitment to credible leadership in national institutions.
Fanwo added: “Prof. Amupitan’s distinguished career as a legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria speaks to his capacity for impartiality and integrity. We are confident he will strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.”
Action Alliance Denies Court Order Against Former INEC Chair
In a related development, the Action Alliance (AA) has denied reports that a Federal High Court in Osogbo ordered the arrest of former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
AA National Chairman, Kenneth Udeze, dismissed the report as false, describing it as the handiwork of impostors seeking to destabilise the party.
He clarified that no such court order existed, adding that the matter of the party’s authentic leadership had long been settled by several court rulings in favour of his executive committee.
“After losing at the High Court and Court of Appeal, these impostors ran to Osogbo to obtain a fraudulent judgment. We have directed our lawyers to take steps to vacate the ruling,” Udeze stated.
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