Political parties and stakeholders have e expressed mixed reactions following the appointment of Professor Joash Amupi as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu after his ten-year tenure.
Prominent political figures, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and NNPP’s Ladipo Johnson, expressed cautious optimism. They called on Amupitan to embark on comprehensive electoral reforms, uphold the rule of law, and learn from the mistakes of the 2023 general elections. They stressed that his performance would be closely monitored by Nigerians eager for a more transparent and reliable electoral process.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) praised his appointment, describing him as a man of merit and integrity expected to continue electoral reforms. However, opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) urged him to prioritize transparency, institutional reform, and loyalty to Nigerians rather than political interests. They emphasized that he must rebuild public confidence in INEC and ensure credible elections.
President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment following the National Council of State’s unanimous endorsement, citing Amupitan’s integrity, apolitical nature, and record of service. At 58, Amupitan, a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos, hails from Kogi State and is also the Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University.
