By Otunba Tunde Falola Esq

The recent nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked renewed debate about the future of elections in Nigeria. Coming at a time when public confidence in the electoral system is at its lowest ebb, his appointment offers both a glimmer of hope and a formidable challenge.

For years, Nigerians have clamoured for genuine electoral reform. Allegations of vote-buying, manipulation of results, and the refusal of the Commission to deploy technology effectively have damaged faith in the democratic process. The controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections—particularly the failure to transmit results in real time using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV)—deepened this crisis of credibility.

Against this backdrop, the emergence of a new helmsman at INEC provides an opportunity to rebuild trust and restore integrity to Nigeria’s electoral process.

A Profile in Law and Leadership

Professor Joash Amupitan is not new to Nigeria’s legal and academic circles. A respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria and scholar, he brings to INEC a blend of intellectual depth, ethical grounding, and administrative experience. His background in law positions him uniquely to interpret and apply the Electoral Act 2022 with fairness and precision.

Yet, beyond credentials, what Nigeria urgently needs is an electoral umpire who can demonstrate independence, courage, and innovation. The credibility of future elections will depend on his ability to lead with moral authority, not political convenience.

Restoring Technological Confidence

Perhaps the first task before Prof. Amupitan is to address the technological failure that marred the last general elections. The BVAS and IReV were introduced to ensure transparency and accuracy. However, their inconsistent use and unexplained breakdowns during the collation of results raised serious questions about INEC’s integrity.

The new Chairman must therefore prioritize the deployment, testing, and protection of election technology. This includes improving infrastructure, training technical personnel, and ensuring the real-time transmission of results from polling units. Nigerians must be able to see their votes count without delay or interference.

Institutional Independence and Political Neutrality

INEC’s constitutional independence has too often been tested by political interference. For Prof. Amupitan to succeed, he must strengthen INEC’s internal autonomy especially in appointments, logistics, and funding.

He must also resist the temptation to bend to political pressure. In moments of controversy, Nigerians will look to him not as a government appointee, but as a guardian of the people’s will. His ability to stand firm in defense of due process will determine how history remembers his tenure.

Tackling Electoral Offences and Accountability

One of the weakest links in Nigeria’s democracy is the lack of accountability for electoral offences. Vote-buying, intimidation, and result falsification have become routine, yet perpetrators are rarely prosecuted.

To change this, the incoming INEC Chairman should champion the creation of the Electoral Offences Commission, a body that will investigate and prosecute electoral crimes independently. The certainty of punishment not just the existence of laws is what deters wrongdoing.

Building Internal Capacity and Credibility

Another urgent priority is the professionalization of INEC’s staff. Many of the Commission’s field officers are underpaid, undertrained, and easily compromised. Prof. Amupitan must establish strict ethical and performance standards, continuous training programmes, and a transparent disciplinary process to ensure that INEC’s workforce reflects integrity at every level.

A credible election begins long before polling day. It starts with competent and impartial officials who can uphold the sanctity of the process.

Deepening Voter Education and Public Engagement

Nigeria’s democracy will remain fragile if citizens lose interest in voting. Low voter turnout in recent elections reflects deep frustration and apathy. INEC must work closely with civil society groups, traditional institutions, and the media to renew civic awareness, especially among young voters.

Public enlightenment on the use of BVAS, rights during elections, and the importance of credible participation will go a long way in rebuilding national confidence.

Legal Reform and Policy Clarity

Given his legal expertise, Prof. Amupitan is well placed to identify the ambiguities within the Electoral Act 2022. Areas such as electronic transmission of results, campaign financing, and timelines for pre-election matters need clearer legislative backing.

He should engage with the National Assembly and the legal community to propose practical amendments that align with global electoral best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique realities.

Conclusion:

The nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) comes at a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Public trust is low, political polarization is high, and the legitimacy of elections is under constant scrutiny.

If he rises above politics and places integrity at the heart of INEC’s operations, he could usher in a new era of credible elections and have his name written on the sands of time. But if he succumbs to the familiar cycle of compromise and complacency, his tenure will be remembered as another lost opportunity for Nigeria.

Nigerians are not asking for perfection but fairness, transparency, and accountability. The task before Professor Amupitan is therefore not merely administrative; it is moral and historical. The nation watches with hope that he will rebuild the broken bridge between the ballot and the people.

Otunba Tunde Falola Esq
Abuja, Nigeria .
11/10/2025