The Presidency has called on the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, to demonstrate courage, independence, and transparency in rebuilding public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, made the call on Friday in a statement titled “INEC Chairman: Making a Difference — A Choice Unanimous.”
Amupitan, a professor of law from Kogi State, was unanimously endorsed by the National Council of State on Thursday to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended on Tuesday.
During the meeting held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu said Amupitan was chosen for his integrity, apolitical stance, and outstanding record of service.
Dare described the appointment as a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, saying Amupitan’s background in academia, corporate governance, and public service positioned him to restore credibility to the nation’s electoral process.
“In every democracy, the integrity of elections rests squarely on the shoulders of its electoral umpire,” Dare stated. “To safeguard democracy, the nation must always be led in this sphere by someone whose character commands trust and whose conduct restores faith in the sanctity of the ballot.”
He added that the unanimous endorsement of Amupitan’s nomination reflected national consensus and the President’s commitment to regional and political balance in key national appointments.
Dare commended President Tinubu for maintaining regional equity by retaining the INEC chairmanship in the North-Central region, noting that no one from the South-West had ever held the position.
Before his appointment, Amupitan served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and as Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State. His areas of expertise include Company Law, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
Dare said the new chairman faced a “critical and daunting” task, as Nigeria’s electoral system still struggled with logistical challenges, mistrust, and political interference.
He stressed that reforming INEC and restoring faith in elections would require “moral courage and administrative efficiency.”
“Public confidence in INEC has wavered in recent years,” Dare said. “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.”
Dare urged Amupitan to remain firm, fair, and impartial in the face of political pressure, saying history had given him the opportunity to rebuild faith in Nigeria’s democracy.
Beyond institutional reforms, Dare called on INEC to engage Nigeria’s youth, describing them as “the largest bloc of eligible voters but the least participatory.”
He advised the Commission to invest in digital voter education and civic awareness to tackle rising voter apathy, noting that only 27 per cent of registered voters participated in the 2023 general elections.
Dare concluded that President Tinubu’s choice of Amupitan reflected a strong resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and restore credibility to the electoral process.
“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 said.