Professor Joash Amupitan, recently appointed as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has vowed to oversee elections marked by fairness and transparency, where even those who do not win will commend the victors.
Following his nomination approval by the Senate, Amupitan committed to reinstating trust and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral framework.
His vision centers on conducting elections so open and transparent that “the defeated party will acknowledge the winner.”
During his pre-confirmation address to the Senate Committee of the Whole, Amupitan presented a detailed reform agenda. This includes establishing an internal ethics committee, implementing a whistleblower policy, enhancing accountability within INEC, and leveraging advanced technologies such as drones to bolster election logistics and security.
Unsurprisingly, his remarks have sparked varied responses.
Civil society groups like Yiaga Africa and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD, West Africa) expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing that only time will reveal whether Amupitan can truly guarantee INEC’s independence.
Meanwhile, organizations such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) encouraged him to demonstrate courage and resist political pressures from entrenched interests.
Amupitan Pledges Integrity and Trust as INEC’s Guiding Principles
Addressing concerns from lawmakers about corruption, election credibility, and operational logistics, Amupitan underscored that ethical behavior and trustworthiness will form the foundation of his leadership.
“This is a critical issue. We intend to develop an internal framework to monitor and evaluate conduct,” he stated.
“I accept this role based on trust, and those working with me must understand their positions are also held on trust. We will create an ethics committee to investigate reported misconduct thoroughly. Every complaint will be pursued diligently,” he added.
He also revealed intentions to collaborate with the National Assembly on establishing an Electoral Offences Commission to ensure electoral violations are properly probed and penalized.
“Legislative support will be essential to form an Electoral Offences Commission capable of investigating infractions, potentially using forensic methods. We will also introduce a whistleblower policy to expose malpractice,” Amupitan explained.
Regarding election security, Amupitan promised innovative measures to guarantee that no eligible voter is excluded, even in remote or difficult-to-access regions.
“Security remains a significant challenge. We will coordinate with security agencies to fortify vulnerable areas and invest in logistics, including drone technology if necessary, to reach every corner of Nigeria. Our policy is clear: no voter will be left behind,” he affirmed.
He further highlighted the critical role of voter and civic education in strengthening democratic participation.
“We plan to implement extensive voter and civic education programs, enhancing the capacity of all election stakeholders through vigorous outreach,” he said.
On the contentious topic of real-time election result transmission, Amupitan noted that legislative clarity is required and pledged to contribute his expertise toward refining the Electoral Act.
He assured that election schedules and procedures would be clarified to eliminate confusion and enhance credibility.
“We will streamline timelines to avoid ambiguity. Our goal is to conduct elections so credible that the losing party will openly congratulate the winner. We will also scrutinize the security of election materials,” he promised.
Amupitan committed to financial transparency within INEC, emphasizing strict adherence to procurement and public fund management laws.
“Existing laws governing procurement and public finance will be rigorously enforced to ensure funds are used appropriately. We will also seek cost-saving opportunities,” he stated.
He pledged to conduct a thorough audit of INEC’s Results Viewing Portal (IReV) to identify and resolve technical issues that undermined public trust during the 2023 general elections.
The audit aims to diagnose the glitches affecting real-time result transmission and evaluate the current capabilities of INEC’s electoral technology systems.
“If confirmed, I will personally oversee an audit to determine the system’s weaknesses and assess whether our current technology meets the required standards,” Amupitan said.
He explained that both the IReV portal and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) were introduced to enhance transparency and election integrity, but technical difficulties during the 2023 polls raised questions about their effectiveness.
Amupitan clarified that the IReV was designed as a verification tool rather than a replacement for manual result collation.
“The Supreme Court has affirmed that IReV is not an electronic collation system but a mechanism for checks and balances to boost credibility. Unfortunately, this distinction was not adequately communicated before the elections,” he noted.
He stressed the importance of cooperation among key agencies-including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and service providers-to enhance the reliability of election technologies.
“INEC cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. Other institutions involved must collaborate to ensure Nigerians have confidence in the technology deployed,” he added.
Beyond technological reforms, Amupitan assured lawmakers of his commitment to strengthening INEC’s institutional independence in line with constitutional mandates.
He acknowledged that INEC’s autonomy has often been compromised by delayed funding and unclear constitutional provisions.
“Although the law stipulates that funds should be released a year before elections, this has not always been the case, causing financial difficulties for the commission.
We will examine both the spirit and letter of the Constitution and relevant laws to guarantee INEC’s genuine independence. We will audit the system and address any challenges accordingly,” he said.
During his Senate screening, Amupitan attributed INEC’s historical lack of independence partly to financial constraints and legal ignorance.
He vowed to explore legal avenues to secure full autonomy for the commission.
Amupitan Denies Representing Major 2023 Presidential Candidates in Court
In response to rumors, Amupitan denied any involvement as legal counsel for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court proceedings.
He also clarified that he never represented opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi in their election petitions.
“There has been speculation about my participation in the presidential election tribunals. I have reviewed the official law reports and obtained certified copies of counsel appearances.
I did not appear in either the tribunal or the Supreme Court cases,” the 58-year-old law professor stated when questioned by Senator Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa West.
Senate Approves Amupitan as INEC Chairman
Following his screening, the Senate officially confirmed Professor Amupitan as the new INEC chairman.
This followed a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) to consider President Bola Tinubu’s nomination in line with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Yiaga Africa, CDD, and Others Say Time Will Reveal Amupitan’s Impact
Yiaga Africa expressed that only the passage of time will determine whether Amupitan can fulfill his promise of making INEC truly independent.
Samson Itodo, Yiaga Africa’s executive director, told LEADERSHIP that the upcoming Anambra elections will serve as a critical test.
“We will assess whether he subjects the backend of BVAS/IReV to public scrutiny, ensures no protected individuals within INEC undermine the process, resists political pressures regarding vendor appointments, and announces election results free from external influence. Anambra will be the first major test, and we will observe closely,” Itodo said.
Dr. Dauda Garuba, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD, West Africa), remarked that while Amupitan’s promises are familiar, the real challenge lies in fulfilling them.
“Every previous INEC chairman has made similar pledges. I do not expect anything different in that regard,” he commented.
Dr. Christian Okeke, a political science lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, believes Amupitan has the potential to make INEC genuinely independent if guided by conscience, patriotism, and constitutional principles.
“If he resists pressures from those who influenced his appointment and prioritizes national interest over political allegiance, he can transform INEC into a respected institution. History will judge him accordingly,” Okeke said.
CISLAC Urges Courage and Institutional Reform from New INEC Chair
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) praised Amupitan’s commitment to exploring constitutional avenues to secure INEC’s independence.
Gimba Suleiman, CISLAC’s programme officer, emphasized that genuine independence requires more than intentions; it demands bold reforms, political resolve, and a constitutional framework guaranteeing operational autonomy.
He noted that despite repeated claims of independence, INEC remains financially and politically constrained by the executive branch responsible for its appointment and funding.
“For INEC to be truly independent, it must enjoy financial autonomy similar to the National Assembly and Judiciary, with its budget directly charged to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, free from executive interference,” Suleiman stated.
CISLAC recommended that Amupitan foster collaboration across political, judicial, security, and civic institutions.
“We urge cooperation with the National Assembly to facilitate constitutional amendments and with the Judiciary to ensure election disputes are resolved before swearing-in ceremonies. Allowing candidates with unresolved petitions to assume office undermines democratic legitimacy,” the group warned.
They also called for institutionalizing citizen engagement beyond token consultations, ensuring election guidelines reflect the realities of citizens and marginalized groups, and are applied fairly.
“INEC must maintain neutrality while engaging all government branches and avoid becoming an extension of the executive or a scapegoat for political failures. Its loyalty should be solely to the Constitution and the Nigerian people,” CISLAC added.
The organization urged that INEC’s operational guidelines, especially on result transmission, logistics, and technology, be codified into law to prevent selective enforcement and manipulation.
“CISLAC challenges Prof. Amupitan to confront entrenched interests benefiting from electoral weaknesses. Nigeria needs an INEC that inspires public confidence rather than offering excuses after every election,” Suleiman concluded.
GRACO Highlights Urgency of Electoral Reform and Applauds Appointment
The Grassroots Centre for Rights & Civic Orientation (GRACO) congratulated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan on his appointment as INEC chairman, describing it as a vital role at a crucial juncture in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
GRACO’s executive director, Armsfree Ajanaku, praised Amupitan’s distinguished legal career, academic standing, and status as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), aligning with the constitutional criteria of “unquestionable integrity” and impartiality outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
Ajanaku also commended the National Council of State for respecting regional balance in the appointment process.
Given President Tinubu’s anticipated candidacy in the 2027 elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC), GRACO noted that selecting a chairman from a different geopolitical zone helps preserve public trust in the electoral process.
