Amupitan’s appointment: A defining test for Nigeria’s electoral future

BY OLUWATOSIN BABATUNDE

The appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offers President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a chance to prove his commitment to credible elections and gives Nigeria an opportunity to restore faith in its fragile democracy.

President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman has generated mixed reactions from political observers and the wider public. The appointment, coming at a time when confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system is at a low ebb, carries weight far beyond bureaucratic symbolism. It will test both the integrity of the new chairman and the sincerity of the government that appointed him.

Restoring Credibility to the Ballot

Nigeria’s electoral umpire has been dogged by controversies that have eroded public trust. Despite the deployment of technology such as BVAS and IReV, the 2023 general elections left many Nigerians disillusioned. Complaints of irregularities, delayed logistics, and alleged political interference deepened scepticism about the fairness of the process.

For Professor Amupitan, the task ahead is daunting. He inherits an institution in urgent need of credibility repair. Restoring public confidence must be his foremost priority. He must run INEC with transparency, courage, and absolute independence. Anything less would betray the hope of millions who still believe in the power of the ballot.

Tinubu’s Democratic Burden

For President Tinubu, a veteran of democratic struggle, this appointment is a moment of reckoning. The president’s legacy will not be judged solely by the policies of his administration, but by the strength and independence of the institutions he leaves behind.

He must therefore resist the temptation to influence INEC’s operations or compromise its autonomy. A president who truly believes in democracy must empower the electoral body to act without fear or favour. Nigeria’s democratic journey will only deepen when its elections are beyond manipulation.

The Reform Imperative

Professor Amupitan should begin his tenure with internal reform. The credibility of any election rests not only on policy but on process, the competence, neutrality, and professionalism of those who administer it. INEC must strengthen its logistics chain, improve voter education, and ensure transparent collation of results.

Equally, there must be zero tolerance for electoral malpractice. The time has come for the commission to collaborate with security agencies and the judiciary to prosecute electoral offenders decisively. Without accountability, credibility will remain elusive.

Beyond Appointments, Towards Legacy

The appointment of Amupitan can either mark a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic evolution or reinforce existing cynicism. Both the president and the new INEC chairman have roles to play one as a guarantor of institutional freedom, the other as a guardian of electoral integrity.

Ultimately, the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy will depend not on the smoothness of its rhetoric but on the strength of its institutions. If Tinubu allows INEC to function independently, and if Amupitan stands firm in defence of truth and fairness, the country may yet reclaim the promise of genuine democracy.

The world is watching.

Oluwatosin Babatunde is a Nigerian journalist and commentator on governance issues. He can be reached via [email protected]