A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has advised the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to discharge his duties without fear.
The Osun APC chieftain also charged Amupitan to apply rules without favour, and steadfastness not to succumb to intimidation and harassment by politicians.
Oyintiloye, in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, also urged the new INEC boss to demonstrate a high level of courage and integrity in the face of intimidation from politicians, especially opposition parties, ahead of the off-cycle and general elections.
The former lawmaker representing Obokun State Constituency in Osun State House of Assembly also admonished Amupitan to justify the confidence reposed in him and resist all forms of undue pressure from opposition politicians, who may seek to blackmail the commission to discredit valid electoral processes.
“The commission, under Amupitan’s leadership, must act in line with the established rules and regulations, as well as acceptable standard practice, to avoid committing errors in the face of pressure from politicians.
“All eyes are on the new INEC boss, and I want to advise him to stay focused and resist all forms of pressure that could undermine the integrity of the commission.
“Amupitan must ignore all forms of negative criticism and ensure he abides by the laid-down rules and regulations for the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
“Those who lost elections will continue to undermine the efforts of the Commission in ensuring credible elections in the country for their own personal gain, but the INEC boss must fear no one. He must apply the rules without favour,” Oyintiloye said.
Commending President Bola Tinubu for appointing Amupitan for the top job, the ex-lawmaker further said the choice of the new INEC boss could not have been a mistake.
He also said Amupitan’s appointment by the President was an indication that he has capacity to sanitise the country’s electoral processes, noting that the November Anambra governorship election and the 2026 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun would be a good test of the new INEC boss’s capacity to deliver on his mandate.
The admonition by Oyintiloye was coming on the heels of divided views expressed by the opposition parties regarding their expectations from the new INEC boss, before his appointment was eventually confirmed by the Senate.