A civil society organisation, Action for Accountability and Good Governance, has expressed support for the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, urging him to remain focused amid ongoing criticisms and controversies.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the group’s President, Prince Peter Bassey, said the INEC chairman has demonstrated “competence, transparency, credibility and integrity of the highest order” since assuming office in October 2025.
He noted that the commission under Amupitan has been guided by “non-negotiable principles of electoral credibility, openness, and strict adherence to the Constitution, the Electoral Act, INEC regulations and international best practices.”
The group highlighted key achievements, including the “early release of the Notice of Election and Timetable for the 2027 General Elections,” as well as the successful conduct of the Anambra governorship election and the FCT Area Council polls.
It also pointed to ongoing preparations for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, alongside plans for “nationwide voter revalidation exercises” aimed at strengthening inclusivity and accuracy in the electoral process.
Bassey said INEC has sustained stakeholder engagement through regular consultations with political parties, security agencies and the media, describing the approach as critical to transparency and accountability.
On the controversy surrounding an alleged social media account linked to the INEC chairman, the group dismissed the claim, stating that “the X handle account does not belong to him,” and described the allegation as “a deliberate distortion of fact.”
The group warned that misinformation could undermine democratic institutions, noting that such actions are “inimical… and could plunge the country into a total collapse.”
While advising the INEC chairman to remain focused, Bassey urged him not to be distracted by what he described as unfounded claims, stressing the need to stay committed to delivering credible elections.
He also called on security agencies “to apprehend any of these distractors,” and urged Nigerians to support the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group maintained that INEC under Amupitan is “in competent and trustworthy hands,” adding that his leadership continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
