“We’ll Make Elections So Credible The Loser Will Congratulate The Winner- INEC Chair Nominee Amupitan Vows
In a nation where electoral credibility has often been questioned, the nominee for the chairmanship of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has pledged to rebuild trust and integrity in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Appearing before the Senate Committee of the Whole on Thursday, the law professor outlined sweeping reforms aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability within the commission.
His bold vision: to make Nigerian elections so credible that “the loser will congratulate the winner.”
Amupitan said if confirmed, his leadership would prioritise ethics, transparency, and technology-driven processes.
He unveiled plans to establish an internal ethical committee, enforce a whistleblower policy, and introduce strict accountability frameworks to curb misconduct.
“I’m taking this position on trust, and my people must appreciate that they hold their positions on trust as well,” he told lawmakers. “We will pursue every complaint and follow through.”
On security and logistics, the nominee disclosed plans to collaborate closely with the security agencies, promising that no voter would be left behind, even in the most remote areas.
“We will invest in logistics to make sure we penetrate all parts of Nigeria, even if we need to use drones,” he said.
Amupitan also proposed robust voter and civic education campaigns to deepen democratic participation and understanding.
He added that issues like real-time transmission of results and election timelines would be revisited, with legislative input sought to remove ambiguities and strengthen credibility.
“We will ensure that elections are credible so that the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won,’” he reaffirmed.
He further vowed to enforce financial transparency within INEC, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and in line with procurement laws.
If confirmed, Amupitan’s tenure could mark a defining shift in Nigeria’s electoral management — one driven by ethics, innovation, and trust.
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