A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) working on democracy and electoral reform in Nigeria and across Africa has reacted to the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the CSOs acknowledged the Presidency’s announcement following the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure and noted that the Council of State had reportedly endorsed the nomination unanimously.
However, the groups insisted that such approval does not replace the Nigerian Senate’s constitutional duty to carry out a fair, rigorous, and transparent screening process.
“We restate our longstanding demand for a transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centred appointment process that reflects key electoral reform recommendations — including those in the Justice Uwais Report, the Ken Nnamani Committee Report, and the Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reforms,” the statement read.
While commending Professor Amupitan’s academic and professional achievements, the coalition maintained that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends on an INEC that is truly independent and protected from political pressure.
“The current state of Nigeria’s elections requires an INEC that is fearless, independent, and immune to political manipulation,” the CSOs asserted.
Senate Urged to Ensure Transparency
The organisations called on the Nigerian Senate to make the confirmation process open and participatory. They urged that the hearings be broadcast live and include opportunities for citizen and civil society engagement through petitions, memoranda, and direct submissions.
They also encouraged the Senate to thoroughly examine Professor Amupitan’s public service record, his vision for electoral reform, and his strategies for addressing key challenges such as voter registration, electronic result transmission, and enforcement of electoral regulations.
“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,” the statement added.
The CSOs further demanded full disclosure of Professor Amupitan’s credentials and work history to build public confidence in the process.
The statement was endorsed by ten prominent organisations, including Yiaga Africa, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), the International Press Centre, The Kukah Centre, the Centre for Media and Society, TAF Africa, the Africa Centre for Leadership, Development and Strategy (Centre LSD), the Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Accountability Lab Nigeria, and the YERP Naija Campaign.