By Adesakin Adefemi
A coalition of civil society organisations has warned that persistent attacks on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, could weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of future polls.
The caution was issued during a world press conference convened in Abuja by the Humanities Welfare and Social Development Initiatives alongside other civil society groups. The coalition said it was responding to what it described as a campaign of calumny by sections of the political elite against the INEC chairman.
The position was outlined in a statement released on Friday and signed by HUWESDI National Convener, Felix Attah. Other signatories include Kennedy Tabuko of Niger Delta Democratic Initiatives, Usman Kankia of Arewa Youth Parliament, Akinnawo Oluwaseun of Initiative for African Youth Advancement Advocacy and Empowerment, and Shuaibu Abdulkadir of Nigeria Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative.
“We condemn this recent development in totality as it threatens the existence of our democracy,” the coalition said. The groups argued that repeated personal attacks on the electoral umpire could damage institutional integrity and reduce public trust in the process.
The CSOs passed a vote of confidence in Amupitan, praising his leadership and reforms designed to boost electoral transparency and accountability. They said his approach has strengthened adherence to legal and procedural standards within the Commission.
The statement highlighted Amupitan’s respect for the rule of law, citing his compliance with court rulings on politically sensitive issues, including the ongoing crisis within the African Democratic Congress. The coalition said such actions show deep regard for constitutionalism and democratic governance.
It also pointed to the INEC chairman’s academic and professional record. Amupitan is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who previously served as Head of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos. The groups described him as a seasoned legal scholar and administrator whose experience is vital for electoral management.
The coalition urged Nigerians to stay focused on supporting democratic institutions and to reject misinformation and politically motivated blackmail. “We urge Nigerians to remain steadfast in supporting institutional reforms and resist distractions from agents of misinformation,” the statement read.
The groups further called on Amupitan to remain resolute in delivering credible elections as the country moves toward the 2027 general polls. They stressed that national interest, truth, and credible leadership must be prioritised to guarantee fairness, justice, and electoral excellence.
