The newly nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has pledged to strengthen the commission’s autonomy and insulate it from political and financial interference, if confirmed by the Senate.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for his screening, Amupitan emphasized that a truly independent electoral body is essential for deepening democracy and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“INEC Must Stand Alone,” Says Amupitan

Professor Amupitan, a respected legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told lawmakers that he is committed to transforming INEC into a non-partisan, constitutionally empowered institution that does not rely on any arm of government to carry out its responsibilities.

“I will work to make INEC truly independent, both administratively and financially. Our democracy can only survive if electoral outcomes reflect the genuine will of the people,” Amupitan said during the session.

He stressed the need to remove bottlenecks in INEC’s funding structure, noting that over-dependence on the executive arm for budget releases threatens the commission’s neutrality, especially during pre-election periods.

Background and Outlook

Professor Amupitan’s nomination comes at a time when INEC is facing public scrutiny over recent elections, logistical failures, and perceived partisanship.

Also Read: Wike to Peter Obi: You’ll Always Be a Social Media President

His legal background and reform-oriented stance have drawn cautious optimism from election observers, though many await concrete actions.

If confirmed, he will succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure was marked by mixed assessments of electoral improvements and controversy.

The Senate is expected to conclude its review of the nomination in the coming days. Until then, attention remains on whether Amupitan’s promises will translate into lasting institutional change for Nigeria’s embattled electoral system.