CSOs React to Amupitan’s Nomination as INEC Chairman

A coalition of prominent civil society organisations (CSOs) working on democracy and elections across Nigeria and the African continent has called for a transparent, participatory, and credible screening process by the Senate following the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The coalition, which includes leading civic advocacy groups such as Yiaga Africa, WRAPA, the International Press Centre, and The Kukah Centre, made the call in a joint statement issued on Thursday, shortly after the Presidency announced Amupitan’s nomination to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman recently expired.

The statement noted that while the nomination reportedly received unanimous approval from the Council of State, such endorsement cannot replace or override the constitutional role of the Senate in conducting a proper and independent screening of the nominee. According to the CSOs, the Senate must ensure that the process meets the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.

The groups emphasised that the Nigerian Senate carries the constitutional responsibility to scrutinise and confirm appointments to key democratic institutions, particularly one as sensitive as the electoral commission.

They argued that this duty must not be treated as a mere formality but as a serious democratic obligation to protect the independence and credibility of INEC.

In their words, “We reiterate our longstanding call for a transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centered appointment process that aligns with key electoral reform recommendations, including those of the Justice Uwais Report, the Ken Nnamani Committee Report, and the Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reforms.”

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The coalition added that past reform efforts had consistently highlighted the need for a more open and competitive selection process for INEC leadership to prevent the politicisation of appointments and ensure public confidence in the Commission’s neutrality.

While acknowledging Professor Amupitan’s impressive academic and professional credentials, the CSOs stressed that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process depends not merely on the qualifications of the individual appointed but on the institutional integrity and independence of INEC itself.

“The current state of Nigeria’s electoral process requires a fiercely independent INEC, immune to political manipulation and unwavering in its commitment to credible elections,” the statement said.

The groups noted that for Nigeria’s elections to be trusted by citizens and the international community, INEC must be led by individuals of unquestionable integrity who are insulated from partisan control and committed to electoral reform, transparency, and accountability.

The coalition urged the Nigerian Senate to conduct the screening of Professor Amupitan in an open, participatory, and transparent manner, insisting that the process should be televised live for public viewing.

They argued that Nigerians have a right to know the capacity, vision, and values of the person who will oversee their electoral process for the next several years.

The statement further recommended that the confirmation hearings allow for citizen engagement through memoranda, petitions, and direct contributions from stakeholders, including civil society organisations, election observers, and the general public.

According to the groups, “Nigerians expect the Senate confirmation process to be open to citizens’ participation in line with the Framework for Citizens’ Engagement in the INEC Appointment Process previously submitted to the Senate.”

They also encouraged the legislature to question the nominee thoroughly on key areas such as his vision for electoral reform, voter registration integrity, result transmission mechanisms, and enforcement of INEC regulations.

The coalition also demanded full disclosure of Professor Amupitan’s public service record, academic background, and professional history, insisting that transparency in the process would help foster public trust and legitimacy in the Commission’s future operations.

They said the Nigerian people deserve to know not only the nominee’s credentials but also his commitment to electoral integrity, independence, and accountability. Such openness, they added, is necessary to ensure that INEC is led by someone who understands the enormity of the responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.

“The credibility of elections in Nigeria will depend on an INEC that is independent, transparent, and trustworthy. The appointment process, therefore, must reflect these values from the very beginning,” the CSOs declared.

The joint statement was endorsed by ten major civil society organisations, including Yiaga Africa, Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), The International Press Centre (IPC), The Kukah Centre, Centre for Media and Society, TAF Africa, Africa Centre for Leadership, Development and Strategy (Centre LSD), Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Accountability Lab Nigeria, and YERP Naija Campaign.

These organisations collectively reaffirmed their commitment to promoting democratic accountability and electoral credibility in Nigeria, urging both the executive and the legislature to handle the INEC appointment process with the utmost responsibility.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) to replace Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The nomination comes at a time when public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process remains fragile, following controversies over the 2023 general elections and calls for comprehensive electoral reforms.

Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and renowned legal scholar, is expected to undergo screening and confirmation by the Senate in the coming weeks.

His appointment, if confirmed, will come at a crucial moment for Nigeria’s democracy, with civil society insisting that only a transparent, inclusive, and merit-based process can restore faith in the electoral system and the independence of INEC.