Abuja: A Coalition of political parties, Civil Society Organisations, and community groups has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan. The coalition, during a solidarity march to the INEC headquarters in Abuja, expressed confidence in the INEC leadership under Amupitan, following the conduct of the Osun governorship election.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the convener of the march, Mr. Obed Agu, stated that they were at INEC not to protest, but to appreciate an institution whose management of the Osun election had renewed public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process. He explained that the visit was also to present the coalition’s communiqu© from a national post-election discourse on the just concluded Osun Governorship election. The group, convened by the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights, included representatives from political parties, ethnic youth groups, religious leaders, women leaders, and other civic stakeholders who engaged in a two-day post-election review.
Agu highlighted that the review critically examined pre-election preparations, election-day operations, security coordination, results management, and stakeholder engagement. He remarked, ‘Prof. Amupitan, SAN, has earned our confidence. We are aware that when Amupitan assumed office as Chairman of INEC, there were questions about his independence. But democracy requires that we judge people by their conduct. Today, after observing the Osun election, we say: judge him by what he has done.’
Agu commended the INEC chairman for demonstrating institutional independence, adhering to electoral timelines, engaging political parties transparently, and maintaining active preparations toward the 2027 general elections. He emphasized that while public confidence had been restored, INEC was expected to maintain higher standards in future elections, and the success of the Osun election should serve as a benchmark nationwide rather than an isolated case.
Agu further praised President Bola Tinubu and the country’s security agencies for fostering a non-interfering environment that permitted a fair electoral outcome. He emphasized, ‘The Federal Government’s conduct demonstrates an important principle: government can be powerful without using that power to determine electoral outcomes.’ He urged security personnel to maintain neutrality in 2027 and called on the political class to let the electorate decide.
Agu also encouraged Nigerians not to give up on democracy and to remain active in holding institutions accountable. National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, receiving the communiqu©, commended the coalition for its confidence in INEC. Haruna pledged INEC’s commitment to delivering credible elections, including the 2027 general election, stating that what happened in Osun was consistent with INEC’s principles of free, fair, and credible elections. He assured that future elections would see improvements, culminating in a better 2027 general election.