The spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has criticised the Senate’s confirmation of Prof Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the process as a mere formality.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Abdullahi said the pattern of approvals by the 10th Senate suggests that it simply endorses presidential nominations without genuine scrutiny.
"In all due respect to the National Assembly, we have learnt over time that the Senate confirmation, especially this Senate, has declared that whatever the President wants, the President gets.
"So, I think it’s just a formality that Amupitan goes to the Senate to be screened. It’s because it’s required, that’s why it’s done. There’s no way he would have been turned back for any reason whatsoever."
While lamenting over the independence of Nigeria’s institutions, Abdullahi stated that the ADC would nonetheless give the new INEC chairman the benefit of the doubt.
He urged Prof Amupitan to focus on addressing the underlying human factors that continue to undermine the country’s electoral process.
"Our problem has never really been about infrastructure or technology. It’s about the human factor, the people who operate the system," Abdullahi stated.
His remarks followed the Senate’s confirmation of Professor Amupitan, a professor of Law, as INEC chairman last week Thursday.
The confirmation came after more than two hours of questioning during which senators pressed him on how he intends to restore credibility to the electoral body and carry out meaningful reforms.
Amupitan’s appointment indicates the beginning of a new chapter for INEC amid widespread calls for transparency and reform in Nigeria’s electoral system.
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