With the recent confirmation of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerians are once again turning their attention to the future of the nation’s electoral process. The question on many lips is simple but crucial: will Amupitan offer a new direction, or will he merely continue the legacy left by his predecessor, Professor Mahmood Yakubu?
The answer, as is often the case in Nigerian politics, may lie somewhere in between.
Professor Yakubu’s nearly decade-long tenure (2015–2025) was marked by visible improvements and persistent frustrations. He will be remembered for ushering in a new era of technology-driven elections particularly through the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). These tools brought a significant degree of transparency and credibility to electoral processes that were, for decades, tainted by allegations of manipulation and fraud.
Yakubu also strengthened INEC institutionally: expanding polling units, improving logistics, and engaging civil society actors in ways previously unseen. Yet, despite these advancements, elections under his leadership continued to suffer from poor logistics, controversial results, voter suppression in some regions, and perceptions of partisanship.
His legacy, therefore, is one of partial transformation: a strong foundation was laid, but public trust remained shaky particularly after the 2023 and 2024 off-cycle elections.
A respected academic, lawyer, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan comes into office with a clean reputation and a nonpartisan profile. With specialisations in corporate governance and administrative law, Amupitan brings to INEC a deep understanding of legal frameworks and institutional accountability.
Notably, his appointment marks the first time someone from Kogi State (North-Central Nigeria) has held the position. This alone has raised hopes for more regional balance in federal appointments and may signal an intention to improve inclusivity within the electoral process.
But goodwill and a strong CV are not enough. The demands of the INEC Chairmanship go far beyond academic credentials and Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether Amupitan’s leadership will be transformative or merely transitional.
Where Amupitan Could Break New Ground
Despite inheriting many of Yakubu’s policies and tools, Amupitan has several opportunities to make his mark:
- Institutional Integrity: With his background in governance and law, Amupitan is well-positioned to tighten internal control mechanisms, improve procurement processes, and establish a stronger culture of accountability within INEC.
- Operational Efficiency: Nigerians are tired of delayed polling, missing materials, and last-minute logistical failures. Improving election-day logistics and personnel deployment particularly in rural and high-risk areas will be a key test of his leadership.
- Deepening Technology Use: While Yakubu introduced technological tools, Amupitan could strengthen them by addressing issues of connectivity, cybersecurity, and data management all of which are essential in today’s digital electoral environment.
- Restoring Public Trust: The next INEC chairman must prioritise perception as much as process. Greater transparency in decision-making, prompt handling of complaints, and visible neutrality will be essential to rebuild public faith.
- Voter Engagement and Inclusion: Marginalised groups — including persons with disabilities, displaced citizens, and the diaspora — remain underrepresented in Nigeria’s electoral process. Expanding access and strengthening voter education are low-hanging fruits with high impact.
Still, many elements of Yakubu’s legacy will, and should, remain intact. Continuity in electoral technology, adherence to constitutionally mandated election schedules, and established logistical frameworks are necessary for stability. Additionally, INEC’s engagement with civil society and observer missions is now an integral part of electoral credibility and will almost certainly continue.
Moreover, institutional reforms are bound by constitutional limits. Without legislative support or major political will, there’s only so much the INEC chair can do independently.
Amupitan faces an uphill battle. Political pressure, financial constraints, logistical difficulties, and rising insecurity all threaten the integrity of elections. Additionally, increasing digital misinformation and public cynicism present new challenges that cannot be solved with tools alone they require strategy, transparency, and decisive leadership.
Moreover, the ghost of partisanship always hovering over INEC will remain unless Amupitan is able to demonstrate true independence, especially in the face of contentious electoral disputes.
Final Thoughts: Change or Continuity?
Will Joash Amupitan bring about a “new INEC”? Probably not in a revolutionary sense. The challenges are too entrenched, and the system too complex, for overnight transformation. However, if he builds on Yakubu’s structural reforms, while addressing the persistent issues of credibility, logistics, and inclusion, he may well usher in a more effective, trustworthy, and respected electoral body.
The 2027 general elections will be his first major test. Nigerians should watch for how INEC under his leadership handles smaller bye-elections and reforms leading up to it. These will provide an early glimpse into whether he is content with continuity or ready to deliver meaningful change.
Ultimately, Nigerians don’t just want another name in office. They want elections that work — and a democracy they can trust.
Godwin Offor is a political analyst, writer, and advocate for democratic governance in Nigeria and Africa.
Very useful tips! I’m excited to implement them soon.
Such a refreshing take on a common topic.
This helped clarify a lot of questions I had.
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