FACT OVER FEAR: The Truth About Professor Amupitan’s Appointment as INEC Chairman
By
Otunba (Dr.) Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo
In a democracy as complex as Nigeria’s, trust is the oxygen that keeps the system alive. Institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot function without it. Yet, trust must rest on truth not manipulated emotion or political convenience.
The recent appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as INEC Chairman has generated controversy, largely built on a single academic paper he authored in 2020. Critics, citing a SaharaReporters article, allege that his work carried anti-Islamic undertones and therefore disqualifies him from leading Nigeria’s electoral body. But beyond the noise, the facts tell a different story.
The Legal Foundation
The Nigerian Constitution, under Section 154(1) and Paragraph 14(1) of the Third Schedule, empowers the President to appoint the INEC Chairman, subject to Senate confirmation. The law is clear on the criteria for disqualification corruption, dishonesty, or incapacity and nowhere does it forbid an academic, lawyer, or citizen from public office based on past scholarly opinions.
Professor Amupitan meets every legal, moral, and professional requirement for the role. He has no record of bias, misconduct, or extremism. His critics, therefore, must show evidence not assumption to justify their fears.
Understanding the 2020 Brief
The document at the heart of this debate “Genocide in Nigeria: Implications for the International Community” was written during a period of worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. It was a legal and human rights analysis, not a religious tract.
In it, Professor Amupitan examined the misuse of religion by extremist elements, calling on the international community to pressure the Nigerian government into preventing further atrocities. Such an argument aligns with numerous reports by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations, all of which have documented similar patterns of violence and manipulation of faith.
To label his work “anti-Islamic” is a distortion and an injustice to academic freedom. Scholars must be able to interrogate history and conflict without being branded as bigots.
A Distinguished Record of Service
Far from being a divisive figure, Professor Amupitan’s professional record demonstrates integrity, competence, and balance:
- Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) one of the nation’s highest legal honours.
- Former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Jos, where he was known for interfaith inclusivity.
- Legal Adviser to multiple government and electoral institutions, always without controversy.
- Member, Nigerian Bar Association Electoral Committee, which successfully conducted transparent internal elections.
In a nation hungry for competent and principled leadership, these are the credentials that matter.
Perception Should Not Trump Truth
Perception is important, but it must be grounded in reality. The sudden uproar around Professor Amupitan’s appointment stems largely from politically motivated interpretations. As a matter of record, neither the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) nor the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned his appointment. Instead, both have called for restraint and fairness proof that Nigeria’s major faith communities recognize the danger of weaponizing religion for political ends.
Moreover, INEC’s decisions are not one man’s affair. The Commission includes 12 National Commissioners and 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners, drawn from every state and region. The structure itself ensures balance and accountability.
The President’s Constitutional Discretion
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted within his constitutional right and within Nigeria’s historical pattern of regional balance. Consider the succession of past INEC Chairmen:
Name Region Background
- Humphrey Nwosu -South-East Christian
- Justice Ephraim Akpata -South-South Christian
- Abel Guobadia -South-South Christian
- Maurice Iwu -South-East Christian
- Attahiru Jega -North-West Muslim
- Mahmood Yakubu -North-East Muslim
- Joash Amupitan -North-Central Christian
The pattern shows fairness and deliberate regional rotation, not bias. The North-Central zone, long underrepresented in electoral leadership, now rightly has its turn.
The Real Test: Performance, Not Paranoia
Nigeria’s democracy will not thrive by constantly vilifying those called to serve. The true measure of Professor Amupitan’s fitness will be his conduct in office, not misinterpreted paragraphs from an old academic brief.
The challenge before him is clear to ensure credible elections, strengthen INEC’s independence, and restore public confidence. By law, INEC is answerable to Nigerians through constitutional checks, legislative oversight, and judicial review. That is how democracy works not through character assassination.
Let Facts Lead, Not Fear
Nigeria needs unity built on truth. Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) has earned his position through decades of integrity, scholarship, and service. His appointment represents continuity, balance, and competence under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
Those who wish Nigeria well should allow institutions to work, and men of conscience to serve. Trust is indeed vital but it must be earned by truth, not stolen by hysteria.
As we look to the future, let’s embrace the important role our choices play in shaping the destiny of our nation. Together, let’s commit to the path of active and positive citizenship!
Otunba (Dr.) Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo is National Chairman Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu Support Group (AATSG), and wrote this Friday, 7th November, 2025/Email: [email protected]/Phone: +234 905 353 5322/Website: www.aatsg.org.ng
