By Ike Abonyi
Dear Honourable Chairman,
Prof. Joash Amupitan, I am compelled to address you through this memo, emphasising the critical responsibility you hold as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). At a start, I need you to reflect on the following four Marble words: “If a referee is also a player for the opposing team, the match is over before it begins” (Political Adage); “It’s not the voting that’s democracy; it’s the counting” (Tom Stoppard); “An umpire who favors one side doesn’t just ruin the game; they destroy the sport itself” (Sports Metaphor); and “When a shepherd is a friend to the wolf, the sheep are never safe” (Folk Proverb).
Guided by the above quotes plus your credentials as a seasoned legal professional and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), it’s safe to conclude that you possess a deep understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with your role. I presume that, as a professor, you are also very aware of the meaning of “independence” and the serious ramifications of straying from it in your new role. It is from this perspective that I am writing this memo to you as a concerned citizen and voter in Nigeria. Since your appointment in October 2025, there has been a sense of cautious optimism surrounding our democracy, yet the approaching 2027 general elections demand your unwavering commitment to a “free and fair” electoral process more than ever.
However, your recent decisions as Chairman have cast a shadow on this optimism. The handling of political party registrations under your watch has raised significant concerns about your neutrality. Furthermore, your apparent bias in favour of the ruling party, which threatens to marginalise the opposition in a diverse nation of over 200 million people, is unacceptable.
The hide-and-seek behaviour of INEC under your watch in addressing the Supreme Court’s April 2025 ruling on the Labour Party leadership crisis until January 7, 2026, after the departure of Peter Obi, reflects poorly on your leadership. Your complicity in the disruptive actions of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike regarding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and your inappropriate interference in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership demonstrate a lack of integrity that is at odds with the independence expected from INEC.
Your dual role as both referee and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the ADC matter is a clear violation of the neutrality that is required of your position. The public is watching, and we will not accept any lacklustre performance simply because of your previous accolades.
Let me be clear: the will of the Nigerian people is not just a slogan; it is the heartbeat of our democracy. Those who play games with this principle jeopardise the future of our nation. Past chairpersons may have evaded accountability, but you should understand that history does not guarantee immunity continuously for wrongs deliberately orchestrated. The former chairman, Yakubu Mahmud, has faced consequences that transcend mere career assessments, and I urge you to learn from that.
In light of the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, which presents both opportunities and challenges, your leadership must rise to the occasion. The pillars of electoral integrity are at stake, and you must address them with transparency and resolve. Failure to do so will not only undermine the Commission but will also betray the trust placed in you by the Nigerian people. The time for action is now, and the consequences of inaction will be dire.
In 2023, technical glitches became synonymous with election rigging, highlighting the alarming lack of technological transparency that plagued real-time results under Prof. Mahmoud’s electoral commission. While technology has advanced elections in many places, our experience was unfortunately different. The credibility of our elections is fundamentally tied to the flawless execution of technology. It is imperative that you, as the new chairperson, ensure that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) are not merely functional, but entirely robust. The Nigerian people deserve a system where results from polling units are transmitted in real-time, devoid of technical “glitches” that undermine public trust.
Your predecessor, Prof. Mahmoud in 2023 presented rules and guidelines for the election at Chatham House in London but failed to uphold them on election day. With the Presidential and National Assembly elections now rescheduled for January 16, 2027, and party primaries starting on April 23, 2026, there can be no tolerance for logistical delays. You must demonstrate unwavering administrative excellence by ensuring that personnel, materials, and security are deployed effectively and punctually across all 36 states and the FCT.
Neutrality and institutional independence are fundamental principles in electoral jurisprudence. The name of your organisation contains “Independent,” and this must reflect the spirit of those who established the commission. Your neutrality must be unmistakable. A free and fair election is unattainable if the umpire is perceived as partisan. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a legal scholar, your legacy rests on your ability to safeguard the Commission from political interference. It is your duty to inspire every Resident Electoral Commissioner and ad-hoc staff to act with absolute neutrality, irrespective of the political landscape or the candidates’ statuses.
Voter education and inclusiveness are non-negotiable. Your now-suspended voter revalidation project was tainted by public suspicion of a hidden agenda favouring the ruling party. Millions of Nigerians, especially youth and rural inhabitants, look to INEC for clear and actionable guidance. The Commission must amplify its voter education initiatives, ensuring that every eligible Nigerian comprehends the new provisions of the 2026 Act and feels empowered to exercise their rights free from intimidation or violence.
Recall that in my advisory on this column when you were appointed last year, I alerted you that “out of the 13 National Electoral bosses that served this country from independence, starting with Chief Eyo Esua, Prof Mahmoud was leaving the stage indisputably as the worst of all”. You are coming in as the 14th INEC Chairman with a blank sheet to write your own story. I also recommended to you then to take your time to study why some failed and others succeeded as such knowledge will help you a lot.
Honourable Chairman, you may wish to reflect on the actions of your predecessors, particularly Prof. Yakubu Mahmud, whose interference shattered electoral integrity in Nigeria. It may seem to you that they escaped accountability, but that is a grave misconception. The consequences of undermining the people’s will are profound and enduring. Just as Pontius Pilate’s misguided judgment led to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, over two thousand years nobody likes to associate with his name just as allowing leaders like Prof. Mahmud to act with impunity tarnishes reputations for generations.
The “will of the people” is not just rhetoric; it is the essence of our nation. As you lead INEC through this critical period, be acutely aware that history is watching your every move. We are not asking for miracles; we demand a transparent process, an accurate count, and results that genuinely reflect the choices of the Nigerian electorate.
Nigeria’s democracy cannot merely survive; it must thrive. Your unwavering commitment to the highest standards of integrity is essential for safeguarding our democracy and restoring Nigeria’s standing. It will enhance your reputation, ensuring that your children, colleagues, and community look at you with pride, saying, “We honour our father, our colleague, our son.” History celebrates those who uphold goodness and justice while never forgetting those who fall into the shadows of wrongdoing.
You are faced with significant challenges: the choice between betraying a friend, a brother, an appointee who entrusted you with this role, or the greater betrayal of your country. Have the courage to distance yourself from anyone who stands against free and credible elections, regardless of your personal ties.
Be aware that the path you choose carries equal consequences, akin to heaven and hell, though the outcomes are starkly different. Keep this message in mind as you navigate your responsibilities leading up to the very crucial 2027 poll. May you be guided in your decisions. God help us.
