Group Urges Senate to Reject Amupitan’s Nomination as INEC Chairman Over Alleged Partisanship.

By Jako.

A professional body of lawyers under the aegis of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing concerns of bias, conflict of interest, and violation of existing laws governing public office.

In a petition dated October 10, 2025, and addressed to the President of the Senate through the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, ALDRAP argued that Prof. Amupitan’s previous role as Lead Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court automatically disqualifies him from heading the nation’s electoral umpire.

The petition, signed by Jesse Williams Amuga, Administrative Secretary of ALDRAP, was also copied to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Director-General of the DSS, the Inspector-General of Police, and several foreign diplomatic missions in Nigeria, including those of the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union.

ALDRAP maintained that confirming Amupitan’s appointment would contravene Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (1991), which prohibits public officers from placing themselves in positions where personal interest conflicts with official duties.

The association also cited Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (2003), noting that using one’s previous political connections to secure a public appointment amounts to an abuse of privilege.

The body drew parallels with the 2021 rejection of Lauretta Onochie’s nomination as INEC commissioner over her affiliation with the APC, insisting that the Senate must maintain consistency in its decision-making to safeguard the commission’s neutrality.

“There are over 200,000 lawyers in Nigeria,” the letter stated. “If the President prefers a legal practitioner as INEC Chairman, there are thousands who have never represented or been affiliated with any political party.”

ALDRAP warned that should the Senate proceed with Amupitan’s confirmation, it would be compelled to institute legal action to compel compliance with constitutional provisions on impartiality in public service.

The group emphasized that the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system depends on the perceived independence and neutrality of the INEC leadership, urging the National Assembly to uphold these principles in the interest of democracy.

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