By Babatunde Ayedoju
Scholars and stakeholders have expressed optimism that the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, will bring integrity and positive change to Nigeria’s electoral system, though they caution that the task ahead may be challenging.
These, among others, were the positions of the different scholars and stakeholders who spoke with The Hope on the appointment of the professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria recently appointed to replace the immediate past helmsman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Recall that the National Council of State on Thursday unanimously nominated 58 year old Amupitan as the INEC Chairman, following the completion of his predecessor’s second term in office.
According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in line with the constitution, Mr President would now forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.
Reacting to the appointment, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, described it as well-deserved, expressing confidence that Amupitan’s leadership would strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system and restore public confidence in the process.
Ajulo described the new INEC Chairman as a scholar whose leadership and integrity serve as a model for all, noting that Amupitan’s rise from a respected law lecturer to a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria reflects a life of service and excellence.
Expressing optimism, Ajulo said INEC would witness a “new dawn of credibility, transparency and efficiency” under Amupitan’s leadership.
Also, elder statesman and veteran labour leader, Pastor Oyekan Arije, described the unanimous decision of the National Council of State to nominate Amupitan as INEC Chairman as a sign that he is fit for the job.
While pointing out that voters and security personnel have not given their best towards enhancing democracy in Nigeria, Arije stressed the place of true federalism towards addressing the challenges facing Nigeria
He asserted that with a credible electoral process, Nigeria would be able to surpass the exploits of past leaders.
A professor of African political history, Professor Simon Ehiabhi, said that given the history of Nigeria’s electoral process, it would be difficult to expect anything different from the new INEC helmsman, because the executive has always had an influence on the electoral body.
“In Africa, once you have accepted a political appointment, you have agreed to submit yourself to the government in power,” he said.
According to Professor Adedayo Afe, a professor of Legal History, the fact that nobody raised opposed Amupitan’s nomination shows that he is a man of impeccable character.
However, Afe said that beyond having an impeccable character, the professor of law must enjoy the support of INEC staff and Nigerians as a whole, to succeed in office.
He stressed that beyond having good academic credentials, it is necessary to have the needed administrative skills to be able to succeed in a position like that of the INEC Chairman.
His words: “It’s a different environment but he has the right credentials because election is about law, the correct implementation and application of law.
“Will the political parties support him? Will there be internal democracy? Most of our problems are based on failure to conduct true primaries.
“I believe there is no alternative to democracy; so, all of us must work hand-in-hand with him for a hitchfree electoral process.”
Dr Harrison Idowu, a political scientist, commended President Bola Tinubu for nominating Amupitan, describing him as a man of integrity.
While expressing optimism that Amupitan would bring new hope to the electoral system, Idowu said, “People have described him as an upright man. Except there are hidden things not yet brought to the public, he seems to be apolitical, and that is exactly what we have lacked in our electoral umpire.
“We will give him the benefit of doubt to outperform his predecessors and bring the necessary reforms to our electoral system.”
Idowu charged the new INEC boss to improve on transparency and accountability among INEC officers on the field, adding that there should be punishments for INEC staff and voters who violate the law during elections.
He recommended that there should be mobile courts in polling units to try such offenders immediately and determine their punishments.
Idowu equally lamented that millions of Nigerians are usually disenfranchised because they are on election duty, saying that the new INEC chairman should fashion a means by which INEC staff, security operatives and others on election duty can vote during elections.
“The role of the military is defence from external aggression; military should not be involved in elections.
“Electoral cases consume too much time. Sometimes, governors are in court sorting cases for two years. The time they should have spent providing governance is diverted into litigation. That should be addressed,” he added.
The political scientist stressed that while technology is good for elections, there must be good network and electricity, to get the best from technology during elections.
Another political scientist, Mr Sola Isijola, also likened the appointment to putting a round peg in a round hole, describing Amupitan as a public servant and professor of law who understands the laws and principles with the application.
He said, “By records, he is also a practising lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who has capacity and age on his side.
“But my fear is that I don’t know if he is very familiar with INEC job or has worked with a civil society organisation or an election management body before.
“I would have preferred somebody who knows the nitty gritty of INEC. The terrain may be strange to him if he is not familiar with the workings of INEC. INEC job is very complex, though if he adheres to the ethical standards of INEC strictly, he will succeed.”
Isijola advised the new INEC Chairman to study the various reports on each election year and cooperate with the National Assembly to overhaul the electoral law.
He suggested that Amupitan should work on cancelling off-season elections in Nigeria, saying that such elections are unnecessarily policed. He also suggested that INEC should work on reducing the volume of litigations that follow elections in Nigeria.