President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), charging him to uphold the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and strengthen public trust in democracy. During the ceremony at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that free and fair elections are the foundation of democratic governance and urged Amupitan to ensure transparency in all future polls—starting with the Anambra State governorship election in November 2025.
Key Directives from Tinubu:
✔ Credible Elections: Protect the integrity of elections and INEC’s institutional capacity
✔ Transparency: Ensure openness in voter registration, voting, and result collation
✔ Continuous Improvement: Innovate to address past challenges and improve the system
✔ Non-Violence: Promote peaceful and inclusive electoral participation
Why This Matters
• Democratic Stability: Credible polls reduce post-election disputes and foster national unity
• Public Trust: INEC’s performance directly shapes citizen confidence in governance
• Anambra Test: The 2025 governorship election will be Amupitan’s first major assignment
What Next?
→ Preparation for Anambra 2025: Early logistics and stakeholder engagement
→ INEC Reforms: Potential review of technology and operational guidelines
→ Civil Society Watch: Groups will monitor early decisions and appointments
