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By Myke Agunwa
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has charged Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) nominated as new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said while it would give the new INEC boss the benefit of the doubt based on his track record, he must demonstrate integrity and independence in the discharge of his duties.
“We are cautious. But we expect the new INEC chairman to have a personal ambition to do better and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the world in Nigerian elections.
“He must understand that his loyalty is with the Nigerian people, not the government. We are willing to give him the benefit of doubts based on his record. But now he has the opportunity to make a good name for himself that his children would be proud of, or to soil his reputation and end up with ignominy,” he added.
Abdullahi advised the new INEC chairman to always remember that his tenure would likely extend beyond one electoral cycle and therefore urged him to “look beyond the interest of those who have appointed him.”
The ADC called on him to build on the strengths and correct the flaws of his predecessor to ensure that the 2027 elections reflect the true will of the Nigerian people.
Professor Amupitan’s nomination comes following the statutory retirement of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025. Yakubu, appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, oversaw two general elections in 2019 and 2023 and became the first INEC chairman in Nigeria’s history to conduct two successive presidential polls.
While Yakubu’s tenure was marked by significant electoral reforms, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and improved logistics in voter accreditation, it also drew widespread criticism over the handling of the 2023 general elections, which many observers said fell short of public expectations.