Abuja: The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has expressed its support for Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by passing a vote of confidence in his leadership. This announcement was made by Blessing Akinlosotu, Executive Director of NCSCN, during a press briefing in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the NCSCN, which serves as the umbrella body for nearly 1,000 NGOs and humanitarian foundations nationwide, emphasized the importance of protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The vote of confidence comes in response to what the council describes as misguided calls for Amupitan’s resignation and unwarranted attacks on the integrity of INEC.
Akinlosotu highlighted that the council’s confidence in Amupitan is based on his legal integrity and steadfast commitment to the rule of law. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a distinguished Professor of Law, Amupitan has been credited with bringing a rule-of-law-first approach to th
e commission. His leadership has been marked by a shift from previous practices of ballot snatching and result manipulation to a system where votes truly count, facilitated by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The executive director also mentioned that since Amupitan’s swearing-in on October 23, 2025, he has focused on delivering a free, fair, and inclusive electoral process for 2027. The results of the Anambra governorship election in November 2025 and the recent FCT Area Council elections serve as evidence of progress under his leadership.
Akinlosotu further advised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction involved in a legal dispute to return to the trial court to resolve their issues rather than seeking political solutions. The council has also received intelligence regarding attempts to mobilize civil society organizations for a national protest aimed at discrediting the commission. Akinlosotu warned that NCSCN would sanction and de-affiliate any organization participating in these pr
otests.
In conclusion, Akinlosotu reaffirmed that the civil society space should not be used for partisan warfare and urged the public to disregard calls for the chairman’s resignation. He emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy is evolving and that the NCSCN stands firmly with the truth, the rule of law, and the current leadership of INEC.