The Coalition of Opposition Lawmakers has voiced strong approval for the nomination of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, as the incoming chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to leave a lasting positive legacy and uphold the trust of Nigerians.
In a statement delivered by their Spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), the coalition emphasized the importance of placing the welfare of Nigerians above partisan interests. They encouraged Prof. Amupitan to leverage his extensive legal expertise and administrative experience to initiate comprehensive electoral reforms once officially confirmed and sworn into office.
“As opposition lawmakers, we commend the President’s decision to nominate Amupitan as INEC Chairman. His impressive academic credentials and professional background make him a highly suitable candidate. Having served as a lecturer, Pro-Chancellor, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he possesses the qualifications necessary to excel in this role,” the statement highlighted.
“Amupitan’s deep understanding of election petition challenges and procedural gaps-knowledge gained both in academia and legal practice-positions him uniquely to implement effective solutions. There is no evident reason for failure given his track record and expertise,” the coalition added.
They further noted, “There is no record of misconduct associated with him; otherwise, we would have opposed his appointment. It is only fair to assess his performance based on his professional history. We should allow him the opportunity to settle into the role and evaluate his decisions over time.”
The coalition identified the forthcoming Anambra State election as a critical benchmark for assessing Prof. Amupitan’s leadership at INEC, alongside the upcoming Osun State governorship poll.
“We are confident in his ability to succeed, given his professional background and firsthand experience with electoral challenges. He is well-equipped to address persistent loopholes and improve the electoral process,” the opposition lawmakers stated.
“We fully endorse his appointment and pledge our support, provided he administers INEC in strict accordance with legal frameworks,” they concluded.
