{"id":122911,"date":"2025-10-10T20:23:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T19:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=122911"},"modified":"2025-10-10T20:23:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T19:23:50","slug":"what-nigerians-are-saying-about-new-inec-chair-prof-amupitan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/what-nigerians-are-saying-about-new-inec-chair-prof-amupitan\/","title":{"rendered":"What Nigerians are saying about new INEC Chair,\u00a0 Prof Amupitan"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Oscar Okhifo<\/div>\n
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Following the recent recommendation of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, by the Council of State to replace Professor Mahmood Yakubu, subject to Senate confirmation as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reactions have continued to pour in from across the country.<\/div>\n
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Nigerians from different walks of life have expressed mixed feelings, from cautious optimism to outright skepticism\u00a0 as the electoral body prepares for a change in leadership.<\/div>\n
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In a vox pop conducted by Oscar Okhifo of Pointblank News, citizens, shared their expectations, reservations, and advice for the incoming electoral umpire.<\/div>\n
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A Professor of Political Science, Jideofor Adibe, offered a historical reflection and a note of caution.<\/div>\n
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\u201cSo far, nobody has held that position and left with his credibility intact. Even the celebrated Prof. Atahiru Jega was lucky that President Goodluck Jonathan ruled out litigation. If Jonathan had gone to court, Jega\u2019s reputation would have been dented. I really don\u2019t know why there\u2019s this obsession with Professors occupying that position. By now, we should have looked elsewhere.<\/div>\n
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“It\u2019s a complete different world from what we do in the universities. You bring a man from a lean salary structure to head an institution that controls billions of naira? That could be a serious challenge. I’m sure he will make a good difference.”<\/div>\n
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Nwobodo Emeka, a civil servant in Enugu expressed cautious hope:<\/div>\n
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\u201cI pray he doesn\u2019t betray Nigerians again. I\u2019ll advise him to be a revolutionary chairman. He should work for Nigerians, not for politicians.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Rev. Dominic, a Lagos based cleric, urged patience and prayer:<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe taste of the pudding is in the eating. His CV is impressive, but I\u2019ll wait to see how he conducts his first election. May God grant him wisdom.\u201d<\/div>\n
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“My brother, I will pray for him. That position is not easy. He will be heavily challenged by several powers. May God be with him.” Said\u00a0 \u00a0 Ifeoluwa Dare, a trader at Gudu.<\/div>\n
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Abuja-based legal practitioner, Kamin Asunugie, was emphatic about the need for a complete departure from the past.<\/div>\n
\u201cI want the chairman-designate to do everything differently from his predecessor. He should steer the ship away from the path of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. I sincerely want to see him outperform Prof. Atahiru Jega. Mahmood\u2019s era was a setback, even worst\u00a0 than the days of Prof. Maurice Iwu.\u201d<\/div>\n
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For Prince Vincent Okhifo, a Benin City-based businessman and good governance advocate, embracing technology is key to restoring credibility:<\/div>\n
\u201cThe first thing I and most\u00a0 Nigerians expect,\u00a0 is full implementation of electronic voting. That will drastically reduce the fraud we\u2019ve seen over the years. He should know his reputation is at stake. Let him prove wrong those who say he\u2019ll dance to the tune of politicians. He should be the change we yearn for.”<\/div>\n
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Nicholas Evanono, a sociologist and public affairs commentator, lives in Yenagoa . He stressed on the importance of conscience in leadership.<\/div>\n
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\u201cOf a truth, I expect him to let his conscience be his compass. If he follows the path of morality, he\u2019ll perform his duties effectively.\u201d<\/div>\n
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From Niger State, a\u00a0 school teacher,\u00a0 Ismaila Ahmad called for faith and accountability:<\/div>\n
\u201cThe legal luminary has seen Nigerians\u2019 reactions. He is loved already. He should be loyal to the people and fear Almighty Allah. The same Nigerians that are clapping now will stone him if he fails. Allah\u00a0 will guide him through.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Not everyone was optimistic. Some respondents feel that Nigeria can’t be repaired again. They expressed doubt that real change was possible.<\/div>\n
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Felix, an Abuja-based trader, was blunt in his disillusionment:<\/div>\n
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\u201cMy brother, it\u2019s Tinubu that will tell that man\u00a0 what to do. I\u2019ve lost faith in this country. I\u2019ll never vote again until there\u2019s real reform in the system.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Meanwhile, major opposition parties have called on the incoming INEC Chairman to serve Nigerians with integrity, remain transparent, and rebuild public confidence in the electoral process. Other stakeholders advised him to avoid any action that could further erode the trust of citizens in the nation\u2019s democracy.<\/div>\n
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As Professor Amupitan prepares to assume office, the mood among Nigerians remains divided,\u00a0 a blend of hope for genuine reform and fear of another disappointment. Whether he can restore faith in the electoral system or become another name in the long list of unmet expectations will depend on how he handles the critical task of rebuilding trust in Nigeria\u2019s democracy.<\/div>\n
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It is obvious that the faith of many citizens in the system and its umpires has greatly waned over time. One only hopes that the new man, upon assumption of office, will by his actions and inactions prove to Nigerians that there can still be an “American in Babylon”,\u00a0 a symbol of integrity in a space many have lost faith in.<\/div>\n
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