Against the backdrop of off-cycle elections in Anambra, Osun and Ekiti states, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, on Sunday charged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, not to succumb to intimidation and harassment by the opposition in the discharge of his duties.
He also urged the INEC boss to demonstrate a high level of courage and integrity in the face of intimidation from politicians, especially opposition parties, ahead of the off-cycle and general elections.
In a statement forwarded to journalists, Oyintiloye, who hitherto represented Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, advised Amupitan not to disappoint Nigerians by resisting all forms of undue pressure from politicians, especially the opposition, who may seek to blackmail the commission to discredit valid electoral processes.
According to the statement, the electoral umpire under Amupitan’s leadership must act in line with the established rules and regulations, as well as acceptable standards of practice, to avoid committing errors in the face of pressure from politicians.
The statement read, “All eyes are on the new INEC boss, and I want to advise him to stay focused and resist all forms of pressure that could undermine the integrity of the commission. Amupitan must ignore all forms of negative criticism and ensure he abides by the laid-down rules and regulations for the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
“Those who lost elections will continue to undermine the efforts of the commission towards conducting credible elections in the country for their own personal gain, but the INEC boss must fear no one. He must apply the rules without favour.”
Oyintiloye, who commended President Bola Tinubu over Amupitan’s appointment, noted that the development shows that the new INEC boss is a man of integrity and honour with the capacity to sanitise the country’s electoral processes.
He, however, noted that the November Anambra governorship election and the 2026 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun would be a litmus test for Amupitan.Meanwhile, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has expressed optimism that the APC would win the forthcoming 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
Oyetola urged chieftains and members of the party in Osun State to be united and at peace with one another, describing it as a major means towards dislodging the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state.The minister gave the assurance yesterday, during an event organised at his Iragbiji country home to mark his 71st birthday. However, Oyetola, who warned Nigerian youths against drug abuse, also called on young Nigerians to imbibe fear of God and shun acts that may destroy their careers and cut short their existence.
The minister, while decrying the alarming level of drug abuse in the country, said that youths who take to dangerous drugs for “highness” are threats to societal sanity and well-being.
“By the special grace, our party will emerge victorious in the forthcoming 2026 gubernatorial election. I thank God for the way things are going with our party, as well as how we have been able to stand in unity.
