• Lawyers, activists, ethnic nationalities table expectations from Amupitan

By Vincent Kalu, Juliana-Taiwo Obalonye, Lukman Olabiyi, Noah Ebije, Femi Folaranmi, and Scholastica Hir

The Council of State on Thursday unanimously approved the appointment of Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), replacing Professor Mahmood Yakubu who completed his two-term, 10-year tenure this month.

A statement posted on X by the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday said President Bola Tinubu presented Amupitan’s name to the Council during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. Tinubu told the council that Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law from Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central states to be nominated for the position.

Several Nigerians, including lawyers, activists and leaders of ethnic nationalities, have been setting agenda for the new INEC boss.

What Nigerians want from him – Lawyers

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Dave Ajetumobi, called for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s electoral system, including a review of the Constitution and the laws governing elections.

Speaking on his expectations for the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ajetumobi emphasized the need for a total overhaul of the country’s electoral framework.

According to him, the current system, which places the power to appoint the INEC chairman in the hands of the President and the politically dominated National Assembly, undermines the independence and credibility of the commission.

“I think the most important thing is to carry out a complete overhaul of the electoral laws, including the Constitution.

“The appointment of the INEC chairman should not be left in the hands of the President and a politically-inclined National Assembly,” he said.

Ajetumobi stressed that for Nigeria to conduct truly free, fair, and credible elections, the electoral body must be independent, both in structure and in perception.

A Lagos based lawyer, Chijioke Ifenkwe in his agenda for the incoming chairman of INEC said the new chairman must commit fully to doing what is right, upholding the law, and carrying out the duties of INEC with integrity and independence.

According to Ifenkwe, the role of the INEC chairman is too important to be swayed by political pressures or partisan interests.

“The agenda is simple. It is to do what is right and uphold the law,” he said.

In his view, Nigeria’s democracy depends heavily on the credibility of its electoral process, and by extension, on the impartiality and professionalism of the electoral commission.

However, Ifenkwe expressed skepticism about the appointment process itself.

He pointed out that because the INEC chairman is nominated by the president, there is often public doubt about the chairman’s independence.

“Considering that this is a presidential appointment, expectations are already low. People fear that the chairman may be more loyal to the government than to the democratic process,” he said.

Ifenkwe warned that if the new INEC chairman shows any signs of continuing the legacy or practices of the previous leadership, particularly where those practices undermined transparency or fairness, then Nigeria will remain trapped in a cycle of flawed elections.

Human rights activist and legal practitioner, Ige Asimudara, in his expectations for the incoming Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), emphasised the need for a single, unwavering agenda: to deliver free, fair, and credible elections to the Nigerian people.

Speaking on the importance of electoral integrity, Asimudara stressed that the new INEC chairman must prioritise the independence of the commission and ensure that its operations are shielded from political interference.

“The incoming INEC chairman should have one agenda – to deliver free, fair, and credible elections to Nigerians,” Asimudara stated. “To achieve this, he must ensure that the body is truly independent, that his officers are honest and well-trained, and that every technology deployed in the electioneering process is allowed to function freely and automatically without interference.”

He warned against any perception of bias, noting that the chairman must not be seen as an appendage of the ruling party or a tool for opposition forces. According to him, the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends largely on the neutrality and professionalism of the electoral body.

We need clean, transparent elections – Pogu, MBF leader

The President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu has called on the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan to as a matter of urgency send bill to the National Assembly to remove all those ambiguities, which the previous chairman used to circumvent the electioneering process, and the transmission process, so that the nation can have a clean, transparent election where everyone can applaud  its outcome.

The election, he said has to be certified electronically, using modern technology, like the artificial intelligence (AI).

According to him, the electoral body is one of the major problems of the country.

“The selection of our leaders is just on INEC and as a result, we’ve expected so much transparency and quality elections, but we didn’t get that, in spite of all promises to use the modern system of voting — timely transmission of results. It never happened, and so all the results were suspicious.

“We should cut off all these things called Returning Officers, so that as votes are cast, they are transmitted to a server which everybody can observe as things develop; and from the server, results will be collated, and the INEC chairman can announce it without changing results.

“Let elections be transparent, and let the INEC chairman ask lawyers within the commission to draft a bill removing all those ambiguities so that when he leaves, he will be remembered as the person who pioneered clean, transparent and free elections,” Pogu said.

He should prioritise choices of Nigerians – Okaba, INC president

The President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba, has implored the New Chairman of INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, to prioritise his integrity and the choice of Nigerians during elections.

Okaba, in an interview, while reeling out the agenda before the new electoral body boss, said Prof Amupitan should concentrate on delivering credible elections to Nigerians.   

“He is to work for Nigeria. He is to prioritise the choices of Nigerians through elections. His loyalty should be to Nigeria, not the President. Nigeria requires a reset, and it is through a credible, free, and fair election that Nigeria can be reset.

“The absence of an electoral body that is truly independent is the bane of Nigeria. This is why the integrity of the INEC Chairman and his pedigree are very important.  The capacity to stand upright and deliver on the core values of the institution is key.

“Nigerians are watching, and the whole world is watching. The truth is that what we expect if we truly have a government that shows interest in the advancement of this country is to have someone who has demonstrated capacity. Being a professor is not a guarantee that you will be upright. The INEC chairman should demonstrate that uprightness.

“On electoral reforms, we have a litany of electoral reforms; what we lack is the capacity to press on. The electoral polices we have now are more than enough if we are ready to implement them. If we can go by BVAS, if we can go by electronic voting, if funds are released on time, and if INEC is made independent, then we will have a good election. This should be the focus of the new INEC Chairman.  It is not about having more reforms. Let us work with the ones we have.  Let the political class distance itself from the process. It is not about being a professor; the integrity of the professor matters. 

He should be neutral – Ihagh, leader Mzough U Tiv (MUT)

President General of Mzough U Tiv (MUT), Worldwide, Chief Iorbee Ihagh rtd, also has a word or two for the new INEC chairman.

His words: “All Nigerians have the right to franchise, the rights to vote and their votes should be counted. The new INEC chairman should not get involved in taking sides. It is Nigerians that should vote for candidates of their choice.

“We have copied the presidential system from the United States, there the votes count, here votes don’t count, whether they vote for you or not, they manufacture numbers and give to whoever they want. In the last election, it was said that Obi won but it was a different result they gave us.

“So the new INEC chairman has a duty to perform for Nigerians, and the only way that people will accept government is through voting. Let their voting be transparent.

“Politicians should not buy the electorate. Everyone should vote the way he or she wants to vote and the votes should be counted, it should not be manufactured.

“The new INEC chairman should ensure that all elections are done on the same day; the Presidency, Governorship, Senate, House of Reps. Because when you do that of the president and once a president emerges, everyone now jumps on the bandwagon. So all elections should be done in one day.

“Finally, the Chairman and new members of INEC should ensure they give Nigeria a transparent election. Let our votes count because in a situation where elections are announced at a polling unit and it’s cancelled the next day, the electorate will not be happy. So the best thing they can do is to give Nigerians a transparent election in which every vote counts.

Let there be due process – ACF, NEF

Foremost Northern socio-cultural groups, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Northern Elders Forum (NEF) have also list their expectations from the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, “Well, there’s been little doubt that our electoral system and processes have not really been lacking in rules and regulations. The bane of the system is implementation, as well as poor and weak policing, i.e., the dearth or outright absence of due process, even adequate and/or effective oversight by INEC. These shortcomings tend to erode voter confidence and lead to voter apathy. Voters become disillusioned and despondent.  It’s voter turnout, especially in presidential, that has kept declining over the years. If INEC manages elections effectively, the tendency for election outcomes being decided by courts, a serious aberration, will reduce drastically. So, conduct of free and fair elections, devoid of manipulations, is the way out.”

The Spokesperson of NEF, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere was quite taciturn in his response.

He told the reporter: “The implementation of free, fair and credible elections. This should immediately begin with major electoral reforms as recommended by the general public.”

We expect robust reforms from new INEC chairman – CISLAC

Executive Director of CISLAC/TI Nigeria and Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, has welcomed the appointment of a new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), even as he issued a detailed call for urgent reforms that would restore faith in the nation’s electoral system.

He emphasised the need for enhanced transparency, accountability, and institutional overhaul within INEC to address the challenges seen in recent elections.

Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, Rafsanjani remarked: “While the elections marked progress by being the first held after the Electoral Act amendment, the process also exposed undeniable weaknesses in how Nigeria conducts its democracy.” He candidly pointed out that the efforts of some self-serving political actors to undermine electoral integrity have significantly shaken Nigerians’ trust. “We witnessed blatant instances of money politics and the unchecked commercialisation of the electoral process—these issues denied many decent Nigerians the chance to compete on a level playing field in party primaries, which ultimately threatens the credibility of our elections,” he lamented.

Rafsanjani further highlighted the operational difficulties within INEC, especially the challenges faced by Residential Electoral Commissioners who operate under excessive central control. “The centralisation of power has hindered timely decisions regarding procurement and logistics, leading to bottlenecks that slow down recruitment and response times,” he explained. Notably, the rising political pressures on these officials compound the hurdles in delivering free and fair elections.

In calling on the incoming Chairman, Rafsanjani stressed, “To rebuild public confidence, the next INEC leadership must prioritise reforms that ensure every election is credible, transparent, and just.” He added that electoral justice through tribunals should be seen as an integral part of democratic governance and must be promoted instead of undermined.

According to Rafsanjani, comprehensive reforms must begin with a thorough review and audit of previous elections to identify successes and failures. He urged the new Chairman to work hand-in-hand with the National Assembly and judicial authorities to not only enforce current laws but also push for necessary legal adjustments that strengthen the electoral framework. The commitment to fully implementing the Electoral Act’s provisions cannot be negotiable if Nigeria’s democracy is to deepen.

On an institutional level, Rafsanjani underscored the need for continuous and rigorous staff training emphasizing ethical conduct, improved electoral procedures, and better technology usage. “INEC must improve security and working conditions for its staff, especially for those deployed in difficult areas during elections,” he remarked.

The decentralisation of authority and logistics, greater autonomy for state and local INEC offices, and the careful vetting of Electoral Commissioners to avoid political interference are indispensable steps for safeguarding electoral integrity.

Rafsanjani also identified logistics as a critical area. He urged early procurement processes and the use of independent, vetted logistics partners to eliminate last-minute delays. “It is also vital to incorporate local intelligence regarding weather and security situations into election planning to avoid disruptions,” he explained, emphasising that local sourcing of electoral materials will help prevent the systemic supply challenges that have often marred election preparations.

On the technological front, Rafsanjani called for expanded access to vital electoral tools like Card Reader Verification devices, particularly in remote and conflict-affected regions. Digitising the voter register through biometric verification to remove duplicate and ghost voters is essential to enhance accuracy. He said the electoral framework must be inclusive, ensuring marginalized groups—including women, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, youth, and rural dwellers—have uninhibited access to voting.

“INEC should maintain direct control over electoral security rather than ceding authority to the police or the executive branch, to safeguard neutrality,” Rafsanjani stressed. Continuous auditing of election technologies like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal must occur to detect vulnerabilities to hacking or manipulation. Real-time digital transmission of polling results is necessary for transparency, he added.

The fight against electoral malpractice, Raffsanjani asserted, must be relentless. He recommended the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to prosecute violations swiftly and equitably, including the blacklisting of compromised adhoc staff. Strengthening regulation on party financing and internal democracy is critical to deter manipulation. Election petitions should be resolved before elected individuals assume office, with fast-track tribunal processes instituted to avoid prolonged uncertainty. Above all, transparency must extend to party primaries to reduce post-election disputes.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining public trust, Rafsanjani demanded regular dialogue between INEC, political parties, civil society, and media outlets. He stressed the need for continuous voter education campaigns in collaboration with governmental agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations to enlighten citizens on their rights and promote peaceful participation.

Looking ahead, Rafsanjani called for immediate strategic planning for the 2027 general elections covering all legal, logistical, and technological dimensions. He advocated for institutionalised post-election assessments that involve all stakeholders to learn and implement improvements.

Financial independence also featured prominently in his recommendations. “INEC must defend its autonomy by securing full financial independence and resisting any political interference in budgeting and resource allocation,” he said, emphasizing transparent budgeting and openness to audits as essential for accountability.

Lastly, civic education and the extension of voting rights to Nigerians living abroad must be prioritised, ensuring the diaspora can participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s democracy.

Rafsanjani’s detailed recommendations underscore the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral system and the urgent need for decisive actions by the new INEC Chairman. “Our democracy depends on a credible and transparent electoral process that Nigerians can trust. It is within our reach if these reforms are implemented with commitment and sincerity,” he concluded

New INEC chair must be of impeccable character – Tunde Salmon, activist

In the wake of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s departure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tunde Salmon of the Good Governance team articulated a comprehensive vision for the new INEC chairman.

Salmon emphasised that the new chairman must be a figure of impeccable character and integrity to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral management bodies.

Salmon told Sunday Sun: “It is important that the new INEC chairman must be a person of impeccable character and integrity. The person and the other commissioners that will likely work as a team together must also ensure to build or to regain the trust of the public in the electoral management bodies. That is very, very key”.

He further underscored the critical role that impartiality and capacity play in the efficacy of INEC. “No matter how much you build capacities, if people don’t have trust in you, that will impact negatively,” Salmon said. He highlighted the necessity of non-partisanship and technological reliability, especially lessons drawn from the 2023 general election. “The Nigerian electoral management body has invested in technology… we want those technologies to work and be deployed for effective elections in 2027”.

Salmon pointed out the urgent need to implement on-going reforms in less than two years before the next general election. He alluded to constitutional and legislative processes designed to strengthen the electoral framework: “Our review of the reforms that are on-going, 2023 election, that need to be in place, which is very, very, very key for Nigerians… A whole lot of recommendations have been put up”.

Salmon stressed the importance of an appointment process that inspires confidence across the political spectrum, referencing historical electoral tensions and the need for a credible management team. “Over the years… elections organised have shown the necessity of trust in the electoral process… We need to take another look at it to ensure better competition and contextualized elections”.

Salmon concluded with a call that the chairman would ensure that the electoral body is respected as independent and fortified enough to resist political pressures, securing free, fair, and credible elections for Nigeria’s democratic future.

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