- INEC chairmanship nominee, Professor Joash Amupitan, has pledged to strengthen the Commission’s independence if confirmed by the Senate.
- During his screening, Amupitan said he would explore constitutional provisions to ensure INEC operates “free from political or financial interference.”
- He identified financial constraints and limited understanding of the law as key obstacles to the Commission’s autonomy.
- Promising to use INEC’s constitutional powers fully, Amupitan vowed to promote transparency, accountability, and technology-driven reforms,
The nominee for the chairmanship of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has pledged to strengthen the independence of the electoral body if confirmed.
Speaking during his screening before the Senate Committee on the Whole on Thursday, Amupitan said his top priority would be to “explore constitutional provisions to ensure that the Commission operates as a truly independent institution, free from political or financial interference.”
He noted that INEC’s independence has long been undermined by “financial limitations and a lack of full understanding of the law by both the Commission and other arms of government,” which often makes it appear dependent on the executive, particularly in budgetary matters.
“As the electoral umpire, INEC must have the authority to make decisions without external pressure to maintain credibility in the electoral process,” he said.
Amupitan assured lawmakers that, if confirmed, he would “make full use of the constitutional powers granted to the Commission to safeguard its autonomy and strengthen its institutional capacity.”
He added that a truly independent INEC is vital for public confidence in elections and promised to prioritise transparency, accountability, and technological innovation.
He also pledged to improve voter education, electoral logistics, and ensure future polls are “free, fair, and reflective of the people’s will.”
“Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when the electoral umpire operates independently and within the full spirit of the Constitution,” he concluded.
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