A coalition of prominent civil society organizations has raised alarm over reports suggesting that Professor Joseph Olusola Amupitan, SAN, may be nominated as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that his ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could jeopardize public trust in the electoral process.
Operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria (COCSON), the group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately halt any such move, describing Prof. Amupitan’s past role as lead counsel to the APC and President Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal as a direct threat to the neutrality required of an electoral umpire.
“An INEC Chair must not only be impartial but must be seen to be impartial by all Nigerians,” said Mrs. Aisha Salami, Executive Director of the Centre for Electoral Integrity, who spoke on behalf of the coalition.
“Appointing someone so visibly aligned with the ruling party will send a dangerous signal to the public and erode confidence in upcoming elections.”
While acknowledging the strides President Tinubu has made in consolidating democracy since assuming office, the coalition stressed that placing a politically exposed person at the helm of INEC would be seen as cronyism and could permanently stain the President’s legacy.
They further criticized the reported nominee’s lack of administrative experience in electoral management, arguing that his legal credentials alone are insufficient for the demands of overseeing complex, nationwide elections.
Instead, COCSON urged the President to consider appointing a qualified and experienced official from within INEC’s ranks, citing advantages such as institutional memory, professionalism, continuity, and non-partisanship.
“By appointing a seasoned professional from within INEC, you, Mr. President, would be hailed as a true statesman who prioritized national interest over personal allegiance,” Salami said.
The coalition concluded by urging the President to embrace a transparent and inclusive selection process, warning that a single partisan appointment could reverse the gains made in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“Do not allow a single decision to undermine the democratic dividends you are working to deliver. We urge you to choose credibility over convenience and set a precedent that strengthens, rather than weakens, Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement read.
