The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called on the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to make electoral integrity his top priority as he assumes office. In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, congratulated Amupitan on his appointment and urged him to build on the achievements of his predecessor while addressing the lapses that had undermined public confidence in past elections.
Nigerians expect INEC under Amupitan’s leadership to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in the conduct of elections, noting that the survival of democracy depends on the integrity of the electoral process. “The new INEC chairman must take decisive steps to restore faith in the system.
Nigerians are yearning for elections where votes truly count and outcomes reflect the will of the people,” the statement read in part. He urged Amupitan to engage political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders in regular consultations to promote inclusiveness and trust. According to him, “INEC should improve on logistics, technology deployment, and timely release of election materials to prevent voter disenfranchisement. The era of late arrival of officials and malfunctioning devices must end.”
Dantalle also called for a comprehensive review of the voter register and stricter enforcement of campaign finance laws to curb vote-buying and undue influence. “INEC should work with security agencies to safeguard elections and ensure that politicians who violate electoral laws face prosecution,” he added. The IPAC chairman further advised Amupitan to uphold professionalism and neutrality within the commission, stressing that the credibility of INEC staff is central to the success of any poll. “Nigerians are watching.
The new INEC leadership must prove its independence and resist any attempt to compromise the process. The council stands ready to support reforms that strengthen democracy,” Dantalle said. Prof. Amupitan, a respected legal scholar and former dean at the University of Jos, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu earlier this week to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended recently. His appointment has generated widespread interest among political parties and civil society groups, many of whom see it as a defining moment for the future of Nigeria’s electoral system.
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