Criticism of INEC chairman may undermine trust in the institution, warn civil society groups

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Civil society organisations have warned that sustained attacks on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and undermine the credibility of future elections.

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The warning was issued during a world press conference convened by the Humanities Welfare and Social Development Initiatives in collaboration with a coalition of civil society groups.

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The organisations condemned what they described as a “campaign of calumny” by sections of the political elite against the INEC chairman.

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The position was contained in a statement released on Friday and signed by the National Convener of HUWESDI, Felix Attah, alongside other stakeholders, including Kennedy Tabuko (Niger Delta Democratic Initiatives), Usman Kankia (Arewa Youth Parliament), Ambassador Akinnawo Oluwaseun (Initiative for African Youth Advancement, Advocacy and Empowerment), and Shuaibu Abdulkadir (Nigeria Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative).

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“We condemn this recent development in totality as it threatens the existence of our democracy,” the coalition said, warning that persistent personal attacks on the electoral umpire could weaken institutional integrity and public trust.

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The groups, however, passed a vote of confidence in Amupitan, commending his leadership and reforms aimed at strengthening electoral transparency and accountability.

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They particularly highlighted his adherence to the rule of law, noting his compliance with court rulings in politically sensitive matters, including the ongoing crisis within the African Democratic Congress.

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“His commitment to upholding the rule of law reflects a deep regard for constitutionalism and democratic governance,” the statement noted.

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The coalition also cited Amupitan’s academic and professional pedigree, describing him as a seasoned legal scholar and administrator, having served as Head of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos, as well as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

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The civil society groups urged Nigerians to support democratic institutions and resist misinformation and politically motivated attacks.

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“We urge Nigerians to remain steadfast in supporting institutional reforms and resist distractions from agents of misinformation,” they said.

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They also called on the INEC chairman to remain resolute in delivering credible elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.

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“At this critical moment in our democratic journey, it is imperative to prioritise national interest, uphold truth, and support credible leadership committed to fairness, justice, and electoral excellence,” the statement added.

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The intervention comes amid heightened political tension and increased scrutiny of Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly following internal disputes within political parties such as the African Democratic Congress, which have tested INEC’s regulatory role.

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Over the years, INEC has faced criticism over election management, result transmission, and dispute resolution. However, recent reforms, including the deployment of technology and stricter adherence to legal frameworks, have been seen as efforts to improve transparency and rebuild public trust.

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With preparations gradually building toward the 2027 general elections, analysts say sustained public confidence in the electoral body will be crucial to ensuring credible and widely accepted outcomes.

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