As Nigeria welcomes its newly appointed electoral chief, civil society organization #FixPolitics has laid out clear expectations for Professor Joash Amupitan.
As Nigeria welcomes its newly appointed electoral chief, civil society organization #FixPolitics has laid out clear expectations for Professor Joash Amupitan, the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), emphasizing that his appointment arrives at a critical juncture for the nation’s democracy.
In a press statement released on November 4, 2025, the organization congratulated Professor Amupitan while simultaneously outlining the monumental task ahead.
According to Anthony Ubani, Executive Director of #FixPolitics, the new INEC chairman carries the weight of a nation’s democratic aspirations on his shoulders.
“The conduct of credible elections is the bedrock of a stable and prosperous nation,” Ubani stated, adding that “Nigerians yearn for elections that truly reflect their will.”
#FixPolitics characterized this moment as an historic opportunity for the new INEC chairman to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s electoral landscape. The organization stressed that rebuilding public trust must be at the forefront of Amupitan’s agenda.
Ubani emphasized the core values that must guide INEC under its new leadership: “We urge him to commit himself fully to the principles of transparency, fairness and accountability. Nigerians want an INEC that serves the people, not the powerful.”
The statement underscored a fundamental democratic principle that has often felt elusive to Nigerian voters. “They want an electoral system in which every vote counts and every citizens are certain that their voices matters,” Ubani noted.
A significant portion of #FixPolitics’s agenda for the new INEC chairman centers on the effective deployment of electoral technology. The organization specifically highlighted two critical tools: the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
“Technology must remain at the heart of our elections,” Ubani declared, pointing out that “these tools can help restore confidence in the process if used faithfully and openly.” The emphasis on technology reflects lessons learned from recent electoral cycles, where the proper implementation of these systems has been a contentious issue among stakeholders.
Perhaps the most pointed aspect of the statement addressed INEC’s institutional independence—a principle often proclaimed but rarely tested under political pressure. “We call on the new Chairman to ensure that INEC’s independence is not only proclaimed but practiced,” Ubani stated firmly.
The organization called for integrity to guide all aspects of electoral management, stating: “Let appointments, logistics and results management be guided by integrity and public interest, not political pressure.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, #FixPolitics framed the upcoming electoral cycle as a defining moment for both the nation and Professor Amupitan’s legacy. “Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The next elections in 2027 will test our nation’s commitment to democracy,” Ubani warned, before adding a sobering reminder: “History will remember the new INEC Chairman not by his title but by the courage and integrity with which he leads.”
The organization pledged its ongoing commitment to electoral reform, with Ubani affirming that “#FixPolitics pledges its continued advocacy for electoral reforms that deepen democracy and empower citizens to choose their leaders freely and fairly.”
