The newly appointed chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Professor Joash Amupitan has been urged to exhibit steadfastness and courage in the bid to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process.
A public affairs analyst, Dr. Emmanuel Osilem who made this known in an interview with our correspondent stated that for posterity’s sake the new INEC chairman should do his possible best to restore the hope of Nigerians in conducting free and fair elections in 2027.
Dr. Osilem condemned the tenure of the previous INEC chairman Professor Mamood Yakubu describing it as a national disgrace and advised professor Amupitan to overhaul the system to avoid the repeat of the anomalies which characterized 2023 elections.
Dr. Osilem stated that although the chairman was appointed by the executive, he is accountable and answerable to the people and independent from any authority as the name of his commission implies.
He advised Professor Amupitan to shun corrupt politicians and uphold integrity to conduct a credible election because the nation’s prosperity lies on virile electoral system.
“Like I say earlier Nigeria and posterity would judge this man by reason of the outcome of 2027 election. If he wants to prove his integrity,he has to shut down every kind of manipulation from the political class because definitely it will come even by the people who appointed him.
He needs to make his name. It is either he write his name in gold on Nigeria or heaven or he will succumb to political pressure. He had an opportunity to tell Nigerians he wants to change the narrative”, he stated.
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Dr. Osilem noted that the forth coming Anambra election is a litmus taste for the new INEC boss and he must not afford to disappoint the army of Nigerians who are looking unto the commission to do the needful.
“This Anambra election will largely inform how Nigerian would take the 2027 elections. If he likes he can to go to Anambra himself to ensure that everything is put in the right perspective because Nigeria would expect fairness and real credible election. If he sends the correct message by reason of the outcome of that election he would reactivate the voters interest in the political expedition on Nigeria if he fails, sorry”, he emphasised.
The political affairs analyst added that it is possible for the country to get it right in 2027 if the management and staff of the electoral body overhaul the old system that has bedeviled the process.
