Amupitan: New INEC Leader Navigates the Storm

The Appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman

Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has been nominated to lead the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. His appointment comes at a time when public confidence in the electoral institution is at an all-time low, and the challenges ahead are both daunting and complex.

Before his formal confirmation by the National Assembly, Amupitan has already garnered attention for his academic and professional background. A professor of law and deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos, he hails from Kogi State, making him the first person from the North-Central region to hold this critical position. His unblemished record in academia, corporate governance, and public service has earned widespread recognition across political and civic circles.

President Bola Tinubu highlighted that Amupitan was chosen for his apolitical stance, integrity, and exemplary service. These qualities, however, may not be enough to address the deep-seated issues within INEC. According to Mr. Sunday Dare, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, one of the most pressing tasks for Amupitan will be to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process.

The Role of the INEC Chairman

Constitutionally, the INEC chairman holds a crucial position in Nigeria’s democratic framework. Established under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the office is outlined in Section 153(1)(f) and the Third Schedule, Part I. As the head and chief executive of the commission, the chairman is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and oversight for the entire electoral process.

Under his authority, the commission organizes and supervises elections into the offices of the President, Vice President, governors, members of the National and State Assemblies, and the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory. He also oversees the registration and regulation of political parties, monitors their internal operations and finances, and ensures compliance with constitutional and legal provisions guiding their activities.

Beyond conducting elections, the INEC chairman directs the registration of eligible voters, maintains the national register of voters, and supervises constituency delimitation and the conduct of referendums when required by law. As the chief electoral officer of the federation, he bears the crucial duty of guaranteeing elections that are free, fair, and credible while safeguarding the independence and integrity of the commission.

The Legacy of Previous INEC Chairmen

Since the return of democratic governance in 1999, about five individuals have led Nigeria’s electoral commission. However, none of them enjoyed a smooth tenure. From Justice Ephraim Akpata, who oversaw the transition back to democracy, to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose decade-long term was marked by controversies, each leader faced unique challenges.

Prof. Attahiru Jega, who presided over the 2011 and 2015 general elections, introduced reforms such as biometric voter registration and smart card readers, which sparked resistance from some political actors. Despite these efforts, the 2019 and 2023 general elections faced severe credibility questions, with technical glitches and delayed result uploads undermining public trust.

The Reputational Deficit of INEC

Former INEC National Commissioner, Dr. Mustapha Lecky, warned that Amupitan would inherit a system burdened with legacy challenges and a “reputational deficit.” He pointed to the 2023 general elections as a self-inflicted injury, where the handling of result collation and declaration damaged the commission’s credibility.

Lecky emphasized that the new chairman must prioritize the restoration of public confidence through credible reforms and transparent practices. He also noted the need to navigate immediate political pressures, including overseeing sensitive off-cycle elections and managing the exit of several national commissioners.

The Toxic Political Climate

Professor Adele Jinadu, a political science expert, argued that Nigeria’s toxic political environment poses the greatest threat to the effectiveness of the incoming INEC leader. He described the country’s political culture as “diabolic” and stressed that even the most competent or upright individual appointed to head the electoral body would face significant challenges.

Jinadu called for a focus on reforming the political and institutional environment that constantly undermines the nation’s electoral process. He lamented that politicians often sabotage the efforts of the electoral body, making fair and transparent elections almost impossible.

Political Desperation and Civil Society

Jinadu also highlighted the tendency of politicians to plant loyalists within INEC to gain insider information, further undermining the commission’s independence. He urged civil society organizations to shift their focus from merely scrutinizing electoral appointments to demanding genuine reforms that would make the political process less corrupt and more transparent.

He drew a parallel between the failed attempts at conducting a credible population census and the challenges facing INEC, arguing that the same political conditions that make free and fair elections difficult also make accurate national data collection nearly impossible.

The Road Ahead

With INEC set to conduct no fewer than five off-cycle elections between now and 2026, it remains to be seen how Amupitan will navigate the task of ensuring that each poll truly reflects the will of Nigerians. All eyes will undoubtedly be on the much-anticipated 2027 general elections, but only time will tell whether the promising INEC boss-in-waiting will defend the people’s mandate with firmness, courage, and an unflinching sense of duty in a game where the very authority that appointed him will also be a player.