The Presidency has said the incoming Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, must demonstrate courage, independence, and transparency to rebuild public confidence in the electoral body, which it said had “wavered” in recent years.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare, stated this on Friday in a statement titled ‘INEC Chairman: Making a Difference — A Choice Unanimous’.

The National Council of State unanimously endorsed the Kogi-born professor of law on Thursday to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose decade-long tenure as INEC Chairman ended on Tuesday.

During the meeting held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu explained that his choice of Amupitan was based on the latter’s apolitical stance, integrity and impeccable record of service.

In the statement released via his official X handle, Tinubu’s aide, Dare, said Amupitan’s appointment marked a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, as it reflected a rare consensus across political and civic lines.

He noted that the new INEC chairman’s background in academia, corporate governance, and public service positioned him to steer the Commission through its most critical test, restoring credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process.

“In every democracy, the integrity of elections rests squarely on the shoulders of its electoral umpire,” Dare said.

“For Nigeria, few institutions command as much scrutiny, expectation, and influence as the Independent National Electoral Commission. To safeguard democracy, the nation must always be led in this sphere by a man or woman whose character commands trust, whose judgment inspires confidence, and whose conduct restores faith in the sanctity of the ballot.”

The presidential aide said the unanimous endorsement of Amupitan’s nomination by the Council of State underscored the national consensus behind Tinubu’s choice and reflected a deliberate effort to strike regional and political balance in the composition of key national institutions.

He commended the President for “maintaining regional equity” by retaining the INEC chairmanship in the North this time, the North-Central zone, and for resisting political pressure to make the position a reward for partisanship.

“President Tinubu deserves commendation for maintaining regional balance by retaining the chairmanship of INEC in the Northern region, this time the North-Central,” Dare stated.

“It bears repeating that no one from the South-West, where the President comes from, has ever occupied this crucial office. By choosing Professor Amupitan, the President reinforces his commitment to equity, inclusiveness, and national unity.”

Before his appointment, Amupitan had served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.

His areas of specialisation include Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.

Dare said the task before the new electoral chief was both “critical and daunting,” given that Nigeria’s electoral system continued to grapple with “logistical failures, mistrust, and the corrosive influence of money and political interference”.

He stressed that reforming the commission and ensuring that elections genuinely reflected the will of Nigerians would require not just administrative efficiency, but also moral courage and a commitment to fairness.

“Nigeria’s electoral process, though improved in parts, remains burdened by lapses and mistrust. Technology must work seamlessly; electoral staff must be above reproach; and every vote must truly count. Public confidence in INEC has wavered in recent years.

“Reversing that perception will require courage, independence, and transparency. Prof. Amupitan must now lead an INEC that earns trust not through rhetoric, but through conduct and results,” Dare said.

Dare noted that history had handed the new chairman both a test and an opportunity to restore faith in the ballot and strengthen democratic institutions.

He added that Amupitan’s success would depend on his ability to remain firm, fair, and impartial, especially in the face of political pressure.

“He has the chance to rebuild faith in Nigeria’s elections, strengthen institutional independence, and set a standard that future electoral chiefs will be measured against,” Dare said. “To cement his legacy, he must be firm yet fair, decisive yet open, and uncompromising in the defence of the people’s vote.”

Beyond internal reforms, the statement also urged INEC to prioritise engagement with Nigeria’s youth population, whom it described as “the largest bloc of eligible voters but the least participatory.”

Dare said the Commission should invest in digital voter education and civic awareness campaigns to rekindle young people’s belief in elections as instruments of genuine change.

He also expressed concern over Nigeria’s rising voter apathy, noting that only about 27 per cent of registered voters participated in the 2023 general elections — one of the lowest turnout rates among Africa’s major democracies.

“This chronic disengagement has dulled the appeal of the electoral process and weakened democratic legitimacy.

“Voter sensitization must become a sustained national priority, not an episodic activity during election seasons,” the presidential aide said.

Dare said President Tinubu’s choice of Amupitan demonstrated a resolve to strengthen democratic institutions and restore credibility to electoral governance.

He urged the new INEC chairman to seize the moment and lead by example.

“For now, we can only commend President Tinubu for a sound, thoughtful, and unifying choice. Professor Amupitan must rise to history’s call — to make a difference, and to prove that trust, once regained, can still anchor Nigeria’s democracy,” he added. (PUNCH)