The Nigerian Presidency has emphasized the need for the incoming Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to demonstrate courage, independence, and transparency in order to restore public trust in the electoral body. According to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, the appointment of Amupitan marks a significant moment for Nigeria’s democracy, reflecting a rare consensus across political and civic lines.

Dare noted that Amupitan’s background in academia, corporate governance, and public service positions him to steer the Commission through its most critical test, which is restoring credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process. The integrity of elections, which is fundamental to every democracy, rests on the shoulders of the electoral umpire, in this case, the Independent National Electoral Commission.

To achieve this, Dare emphasized that reforming INEC and ensuring that elections genuinely reflect the will of Nigerians will require not just administrative efficiency, but also moral courage and a commitment to fairness. He suggested that the Commission should invest in digital voter education and civic awareness campaigns to rekindle young people’s belief in elections as instruments of genuine change.

The choice of Amupitan by President Tinubu demonstrates a resolve to strengthen democratic institutions and restore credibility to electoral governance. The National Council of State unanimously endorsed Amupitan to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ended recently. President Tinubu highlighted that his choice of Amupitan was based on the latter’s apolitical stance, integrity, and impeccable record of service.

As Amupitan prepares to take the helm, he is expected to seize the moment and lead by example, fostering an environment of transparency and accountability within the Commission. The success of his tenure will depend on his ability to navigate the complexities of Nigeria’s electoral landscape, building trust among stakeholders and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. With the country’s democratic institutions under scrutiny, the new INEC chairman’s leadership will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally.