Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have given their support to the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While expressing confidence in the ability of Amupitan to deliver on his mandate, the lawmakers urged him not to fail Nigerians and prioritise their interests over political ones.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had presented Amupitan’s nomination during the Council’s meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, lawmaker representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, in a statement on Friday, called on the new electoral chief to use his legal profession experience and administrative background to embark on deeper electoral reforms once cleared and sworn in.
He stated that the appointment is an opportunity to write his name in gold, adding that the professional background of Amupitan would aid him to deliver.
The statement read in part, “For us as opposition coalition lawmakers, we welcome the appointment made by the President, appointing Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman because looking at his background in terms of academic excellence he comes highly recommended. He can’t fail, he has been a lecturer, even a Pro Chancellor and lawyer, SAN.
“We have an INEC chairman that knows the difficulty in proving election petition, knows the loopholes etc. He has taught it in the classroom and practiced it in the field and now he’s going to execute it. He has no reason to fail. He has all the professional qualifications required to administer a successful INEC.
Ugochinyere noted that lawmakers have no record of any wrongdoing on his part, adding that if they did, they would have joined those opposing his appointment.
He said that the man should be judged by his past conduct, as reflected in his professional record.
“Let us allow him to transition into the position, then we start watching his efforts, decisions as the day goes by. The election coming up in Anambra will be a test case of his capacity to handle INEC. Osun too.
“We believe he has reason to succeed, and we also believe he has no reason to fail because he has the professional capacity.
“Those things he has experienced in the field, now he has the capacity to adjust those loopholes that are unending. So we welcome his appointment and support him as long as he continues to administer INEC in compliance with the provisions of the law.”
