The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has promised to rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process, describing his appointment as a “divine” call to national service.
Speaking shortly after his swearing-in by the President at the State House on Thursday, Amupitan said his focus would be on conducting elections that are transparent, fair, and credible while promoting democratic values throughout the country.
Addressing the commission’s directors during his first official meeting, the new chairman emphasized that INEC’s success would depend on teamwork, integrity, and discipline.
“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability in INEC’s operations. “As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.
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Amupitan identified the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election as a crucial test for his leadership, calling it a defining moment for the commission.
“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion. Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task. And let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.
He also pledged to prioritize staff welfare, acknowledging that the commission’s workforce is central to the success of credible elections.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority. We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” he assured.
Accompanied by his wife, children, and colleagues from the University of Jos, the new INEC boss expressed appreciation to his academic community for their support and excitement over his appointment.
“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very heckling and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.
While acknowledging the enormity of his new task, Amupitan said he was ready to take on the challenge.
“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, I don’t envy you. But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead. Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Amupitan described his appointment as part of a divine plan.
“Maybe if I had a choice, I would say I would not come here. But from all the indications, I could see that God is moving in this country, and my coming is divine. If God says go, who are you to say I’m not going? I’m here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is born. And of course, you know, INEC has a very, very important role to play in this quest. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.
