The Inter-Party Advisory Council has expressed confidence in the newly appointed chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan. According to the council’s National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, Professor Amupitan’s expertise in litigation will be an asset in sanitizing Nigeria’s electoral process.
In an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program, Dantalle stated that Professor Amupitan’s background as a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria will help him navigate the complex legal issues that often arise during elections in Nigeria. The National Council of State approved Professor Amupitan’s nomination as the new Chairman of INEC on Thursday, and he is expected to bring his expertise to bear in addressing the challenges facing the electoral body.
Professor Amupitan’s appointment comes at a time when the electoral process in Nigeria is undergoing significant reforms. The previous administration of Professor Mahmoud Yakubu introduced technological innovations aimed at improving the conduct of elections. However, the Inter-Party Advisory Council believes that more needs to be done to strengthen the electoral process, including the passage of relevant laws by the National Assembly.
The council’s chairman emphasized the need for a better political atmosphere, which can be achieved through the implementation of recommendations sent to the National Assembly. With Professor Amupitan at the helm of INEC, there are hopes that the electoral process will become more transparent and credible. The success of his tenure will depend on his ability to build on the foundations laid by his predecessor and address the challenges that have hindered the electoral process in the past.
As Nigeria prepares for future elections, the appointment of Professor Amupitan as the chairman of INEC is seen as a significant development. His expertise and experience will be crucial in addressing the legal and technical challenges that often arise during elections. The Inter-Party Advisory Council’s expression of confidence in Professor Amupitan’s ability to sanitize the electoral process is a positive indication of the prospects for free and fair elections in Nigeria.