The presidency has charged the incoming chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, to demonstrate courage, transparency, and independence in rebuilding public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare, made this known in a statement on Friday titled ‘INEC Chairman: Making a difference, a choice unanimous’.
Dare described Amupitan’s appointment as a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that the new INEC boss must rise to the challenge of restoring confidence in the commission after years of dwindling credibility.
He stated that the National Council of State’s unanimous endorsement of Amupitan’s nomination underscored a rare consensus across political and civic lines, describing it as a deliberate move by President Tinubu to maintain regional balance and uphold fairness in national appointments.
“To safeguard democracy, the nation must always be led in this sphere by a man or woman whose character commands trust, whose judgement inspires confidence, and whose conduct restores faith in the sanctity of the ballot,” Dare said.
He added that Amupitan’s background in academia, corporate governance, and public service positioned him to steer the electoral body through critical reforms that would redefine electoral integrity in the country.
President Tinubu had earlier explained that his choice of Amupitan was based on the professor’s “apolitical stance, integrity, and impeccable record of service.”
Before his appointment, Professor Amupitan served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and as Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. His academic expertise spans company law, law of evidence, corporate governance, and privatisation law.
Dare commended the president for sustaining regional equity by retaining the INEC chairmanship in the North, particularly the North-Central zone, while resisting political pressure to use the position as a partisan reward.
He also warned that the new INEC chairman’s task would be “critical and daunting,” citing persistent electoral challenges such as logistical failures, voter apathy, and the influence of money in politics.
“Public confidence in INEC has wavered in recent years. Reversing that perception will require courage, independence, and transparency,” Dare added.
The statement also urged Amupitan to prioritise digital voter education and civic awareness, particularly among Nigeria’s youth population, which represents the largest bloc of eligible voters but remains the least participatory.
According to Dare, voter sensitisation must become a continuous national priority, not just an activity restricted to election seasons.
He observed that Nigeria’s voter turnout rate of about 27 per cent during the 2023 general elections ranked among the lowest in Africa, emphasising the need to rekindle citizens’ trust in the ballot.
Dare maintained that President Tinubu’s nomination of Amupitan reflected his commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that elections genuinely reflected the will of the people.
“Professor Amupitan must rise to history’s call to make a difference and prove that trust, once regained, can still anchor Nigeria’s democracy,” Dare concluded.
