Professor Joash Amupitan, the nominee for the chairmanship of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has refuted claims that he was part of President Bola Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 presidential election petition hearings.
During his screening before the Senate Committee, Amupitan emphasized he never represented Tinubu at the presidential election tribunal or the Supreme Court. He stressed the importance of maintaining neutrality amid speculation about his connections to Tinubu’s legal team.
In addition to addressing concerns about his impartiality, Amupitan shared his vision for an inclusive electoral system that empowers women, persons with disabilities, and young voters through education and technology. He highlighted the need for legislative reforms to support this goal.
Amupitan also commented on the ongoing debate about transferring the conduct of local government elections to INEC, noting the need for careful consideration to prevent overburdening the commission.
He outlined plans to enhance voter education and civic training, aiming to instill a culture of democratic participation from an early age. Under his leadership, INEC would develop online training modules for voters and introduce civic education initiatives.
