ABUJA, NIGERIA — A volatile institutional crisis has re-ignited over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) is old news, the explosive revelation of his partisan political history has triggered fresh public anger across the country.
Despite mounting nationwide protests demanding his immediate exit, the embattled INEC chief has chosen a path of absolute silence, digging in his heels and refusing to respond to the masses or step down from his position.
The New Twist: Partisan Footprint Discovered
When Amupitan was originally appointed to transition into the role after the previous administration, the public narrative focused primarily on his previous role as the Lead Legal Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 election tribunals.
However, the current wave of public indignation is driven by a completely new discovery: undeniable evidence of his direct, active partisanship. Digital forensic reviews have unmasked deep, historic political commentary and alignment with the ruling party long before he took up the mantle of the nation’s chief electoral umpire.
This fresh revelation has shattered the constitutional illusion that the INEC Chairman is a neutral, apolitical academic, turning his leadership into an active battlefield for the soul of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Ongoing Denial: A Continuous Bone of Contention
A major point of friction remains Amupitan’s aggressive and continuous denial of his partisan affiliations.
The Chairman has repeatedly issued statements claiming he is an independent legal professional without formal card-carrying ties to the ruling APC, even attributing his leaked digital footprints to account compromises.
However, this defense has been completely rejected by civil society organizations, legal experts, and opposition coalitions. Critics argue that his denials fly in the face of verifiable facts, creating a toxic atmosphere of distrust where the umpire is seen as actively gaslighting the electorate he is paid to serve.
Silent Defiance: Ignoring the Masses
The deepest bone of contention paralyzing the electoral body is Amupitan’s total determination to ignore public pressure.
As civil rights groups, youth coalitions, and aggrieved citizens take to the streets in coordinated protests across major cities demanding his immediate resignation, the Chairman has maintained a wall of absolute silence. He has refused to address the demonstrators, grant press briefings on the integrity crisis, or acknowledge the public petition drives aimed at his removal.
This stubborn refusal to engage with the populace has fueled accusations of institutional arrogance. It signals to the public that the electoral commission is entirely detached from the will of the citizens, creating fears that the machinery for the 2027 polls is already structurally compromised.
