By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), has pledged to deliver free, fair, and credible elections across the country, declaring that the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process is non-negotiable.
Amupitan made the pledge at the INEC headquarters in Abuja during the handover ceremony from the acting Chairman, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu. He said his leadership would prioritise staff welfare, teamwork, and institutional trust to strengthen the Commission’s performance.
“The integrity of our elections is not something we should even negotiate. It is the soul of democracy,” he said, assuring that elections under his watch would be transparent enough for even losers to congratulate winners.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu, who inaugurated the new INEC Chairman, urged him to sustain electoral reforms and uphold credibility ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election. The President said credible polls remain central to strengthening democracy and citizens’ trust in governance.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu expressed confidence in Amupitan’s capacity to build on existing digital innovations and reforms at the Commission. Civil society groups also welcomed his appointment, urging stronger measures against voter apathy, vote-buying, and poor logistics.
Amupitan, a professor of law from the University of Jos, described his appointment as a divine call to service, saying he is determined to contribute to a new era of transparent elections and accountable leadership in Nigeria.
