The Presidency has said that the incoming chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, must show courage, independence, and transparency to rebuild public confidence in the electoral body. FG recently revealed that the faith Nigerians have in the commission has wavered in recent years.
In a press statement titled “INEC Chairman: Making a Difference — A Choice Unanimous,” the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare, shared that Amupitan’s appointment is a crucial moment for Nigeria’s democracy as it reflects a rare consensus across political and civic lines.
According to him, Amupitan’s academic and public service background make him a good candidate to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process.
He stated that the country is in desperate need of a trustworthy man whose conduct can bring back faith in the sanctity of the ballot.
“In every democracy, the integrity of elections rests squarely on the shoulders of its electoral umpire.
For Nigeria, few institutions command as much scrutiny, expectation, and influence as the Independent National Electoral Commission. To safeguard democracy, the nation must always be led in this sphere by a man or woman whose character commands trust, whose judgment inspires confidence, and whose conduct restores faith in the sanctity of the ballot,” he said.
Dare further noted that the unanimous endorsement of Amupitan’s nomination by the Council of State reaffirmed the national consensus behind Tinubu’s choice.
He concluded by hailing the President for maintaining regional equity by retaining the INEC chairmanship in the North this time and resisting political pressure to make the position a reward for partisanship.
“President Tinubu deserves commendation for maintaining regional balance by retaining the chairmanship of INEC in the Northern region, this time the North-Central.
It bears repeating that no one from the South-West, where the President comes from, has ever occupied this crucial office. By choosing Professor Amupitan, the President reinforces his commitment to equity, inclusiveness, and national unity.
Nigeria’s electoral process, though improved in parts, remains burdened by lapses and mistrust. Technology must work seamlessly; electoral staff must be above reproach; and every vote must truly count. Public confidence in INEC has wavered in recent years.
Reversing that perception will require courage, independence, and transparency. Prof. Amupitan must now lead an INEC that earns trust not through rhetoric, but through conduct and results.
He has the chance to rebuild faith in Nigeria’s elections, strengthen institutional independence, and set a standard that future electoral chiefs will be measured against. To cement his legacy, he must be firm yet fair, decisive yet open, and uncompromising in the defence of the people’s vote.
This chronic disengagement has dulled the appeal of the electoral process and weakened democratic legitimacy.
Voter sensitization must become a sustained national priority, not an episodic activity during election seasons.
For now, we can only commend President Tinubu for a sound, thoughtful, and unifying choice. Professor Amupitan must rise to history’s call — to make a difference, and to prove that trust, once regained, can still anchor Nigeria’s democracy,” he added.
