The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is expected to restore credibility to the electoral system, according to Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, former Director-General of the National Human Rights Commission. Odinkalu expressed confidence that Amupitan will not repeat the mistakes of his predecessor, Mahmoud Yakubu, whose tenure was marred by election irregularities.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Odinkalu cited the Edo governorship poll as an example of the irregularities that occurred under Yakubu’s administration. He alleged that Yakubu’s administration was known for producing multiple results in elections, which led to a loss of credibility in the electoral system. Odinkalu presented statistics to support his claim, noting that the number of election results that ended up in court increased significantly under Yakubu’s tenure.
According to Odinkalu, in 2007, about 86.35% of election results ended up in court, but this figure reduced to 51% in 2011 and 44% in 2015 under the tenure of Prof. Attahiru Jega. However, under Yakubu, the figure increased to 56.34% in 2019 and 83% in 2023. Odinkalu urged Amupitan to rebuild credibility in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that the new chairman has a responsibility to address the decline in electoral credibility.
The electoral system in Nigeria has faced significant challenges in recent years, with issues of irregularities, disputes, and lack of transparency. The appointment of a new chairman is seen as an opportunity to restore credibility and ensure that the electoral process is free, fair, and transparent. As Amupitan takes the helm, he will be expected to implement reforms and measures to address the issues that have plagued the electoral system, including the use of technology to improve the voting process and reduce the risk of irregularities.
The 2027 general elections will be a crucial test for Amupitan and the Independent National Electoral Commission, as they work to rebuild trust and credibility in the electoral system. With the eyes of the international community on Nigeria, the commission will be under pressure to deliver free, fair, and transparent elections. Odinkalu’s comments highlight the importance of addressing the decline in electoral credibility and ensuring that the electoral system is strengthened to promote democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
