HURIWA Questions Tinubu’s Motive in Appointing Amupitan as INEC Chairman

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed concern over the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that the move may be politically motivated ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the group said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to name Prof. Amupitan, a legal scholar from Kogi State, as the nation’s chief electoral officer, raises questions about neutrality and the independence of the Commission.

According to HURIWA, intelligence available to it suggests that the appointment was influenced more by political loyalty than professional competence.

> “From the intelligence at our disposal, this appointment is not about competence but control. The President, who is desperate to remain in power in 2027, has chosen an ally who will do his bidding. It is now left for Prof. Amupitan to prove this wrong,” the statement read.


The association warned that the move could erode public confidence in future elections unless the National Assembly urgently amends the Electoral Act to make the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) mandatory and enforceable by law.

HURIWA also recalled that the 2023 presidential election was marred by irregularities, while other polls particularly the National Assembly elections were “relatively credible” due to the effective deployment of technology for accreditation and result transmission.

The group further alleged that recent defections by opposition politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were linked to what it described as “the weaponisation of state institutions,” claiming that some officeholders joined the APC to avoid harassment or prosecution.

> “We have a President using every available state institution to weaken opposition parties,” the statement added.


HURIWA also criticised the growing presence of campaign billboards bearing Tinubu’s image across the country, describing it as early political campaigning capable of heightening political tension ahead of 2027.

The rights group urged the National Assembly to prioritise reforms that would strengthen INEC’s independence and ensure greater transparency through technology.

It called on Prof. Amupitan to demonstrate impartiality and accountability in his new role, stating that Nigerians and the international community will closely watch how he upholds the Commission’s integrity in the years ahead.