President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was unequivocal in his marching order to the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, during his swearing-in ceremony in Abuja last week, on the need to ensure a credible and transparent poll.
Besides other mandates he handed down to him, President Tinubu had sternly directed Prof. Amupitan to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and enhance the commission’s institutional strength through free, fair, and credible conduct of next month’s Anambra State governorship poll.
In reality, it was a directive that underscored the enormity and weight of the task placed on the shoulders of the new INEC boss, and an instigation to show serious commitment and determination in the conduct of transparent elections with the Anambra poll as his first litmus test, in readiness for the bigger task before him – the 2027 general elections.
Perhaps, the president, in issuing the directive, also wanted to validate the great expectations and apprehensions of many Nigerians in inspiring him to discharge the responsibilities of correcting some of the perceived wrongs done by his predecessor, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, as he embarks on the marathon journey to improve the conduct of elections in the country.
Stating clearly that the Anambra governorship election will serve as his litmus test, Tinubu told him that: “Your nomination to the important role and the subsequent confirmation by the senate is a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the Executive and the Legislative arm of government.
“The significant achievement marked the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” the president said.
He further said: “Our democracy has come a long way. In 25 years, we have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly our democratic systems, through innovations and reforms. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex, multifaceted society.
“To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach. It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible. We must continue to improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and preparing for today.
“No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen institutions, ensuring they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against artificial setbacks.
“I therefore charge you, Prof Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment, preserve the integrity of our elections and electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC,” President Tinubu added.
Those words of inspiration and guidance from the president must have provided a clear roadmap and compass to the new INEC boss to kick-start his navigation into the murky waters of managing one of the most complex and delicate organisations for the consolidation of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Curiously, regardless of whatever achievements he would have recorded in the legal and academic profession previously, Prof Amupitan’s past will definitely be eclipsed by whatever he does as the INEC boss, positively or negatively.
For many pundits, history beckons on him to break the records of Prof Attahiru Jega, who, apart from conducting a presidential election that an incumbent lost, is also reputed for technological innovations and electoral reforms with his introduction of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR).
And aware of the immense responsibilities of the mission ahead of him, especially scaling through the immediate litmus test of conducting a transparent and hitch-free poll in Anambra and beyond, Prof Amupitan was, however, honest enough to admit being jolted by the general expectations of Nigerians from every part of the country.
Perhaps, by way of accepting to meet the tall target set for him and even see beyond Anambra election in the promises contained in his inaugural remarks on assumption of office, he assured Nigerians that under his watch as the electoral umpire boss, elections will constantly be definitely credible, free, fair and transparent with only the votes deciding the outcome of the polls, starting with the off-cycle Anambra poll.
In his vows to deliver a credible poll right from the commencement of his journey, Prof Amupitan said: “the upcoming Anambra State election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections. The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that reputation.”
The former University lecturer, however, in confirming that his assurances were devoid of confidence and excitement, surprisingly raised doubt over the possibility of his actualising his promise of a transparent poll, arguing that securing the full cooperation of the major stakeholders, like the politicians and the general public, would rather perfect it.
“I have just been briefed about some of the preparations, but as I informed the Acting chairman, our preparation, no matter how good it may be, is as good as nothing without receiving the cooperation and support of the stakeholders, including politicians and the general public,” he noted.
“The eyes of Nigerians are upon us. I want to emphasise the need for us to work together in unity, synergy, and collaboration among our various units. Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their votes will count. It is a constitutional task, and let’s restore the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their votes will count. We can address the issue of voter apathy. Let us break down the silos,” he charged election stakeholders and staff of the commission.
Also, in his reconfirmation that a smooth, transparent election in Anambra is a mission possible, he warned: “I must stress that we should not compromise our values or processes that will have consequences. The integrity of our elections is not even something we should negotiate.
“Mr. President, in his remark, also echoed the same that we should do everything possible as we go into the Anambra election to give the country a free, fair, and credible election,” he said.
But, despite his assurances to live up to the expectations of the enormous responsibilities entrusted to him, Prof Amupitan was, however, magnanimous enough to reveal the anxiety in his inner mind, admitting that he would have declined the offer if he had his way, perhaps due to the daunting nature of spearheading such a sensitive position.
He said: “All the places I have gone to, including some National Commissioners, they told me that they don’t envy me, but let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead. Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections. The journey may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve through this very important mission.
“I am here for a purpose, and maybe if I had a choice, I would say that I will not come here, but when, from all indications, I could see that God is moving in this direction, I have to accept. My coming is divine. If God says go, who am I to say that I am not going? I am here because I have a role to play in ensuring that the new Nigeria is berthed and because INEC has a role to play in this quest,” he said.
Interestingly, Prof Amupitan may have obviously distinguished himself in his profession as a lecturer and lawyer; like his predecessors, he is also a towering academic giant, but in terms of experience in handling the pressures and scheming that come with the conduct of elections in the country, he will be facing the heat for the first time next month.
Therefore, in every consideration, using the Anambra governorship election, coming less than three weeks after his swearing in, as a litmus test may apparently be asking for the impossible, because as a greenhorn in the terrain he found himself, it could take him at least some months to comprehensively understudy and acclimatise himself with the operational mechanisms of the commission.
Going beyond his classroom, legal experiences, and the vague assurances to pass the litmus test in the Anambra poll, daunting hurdles as election logistics, insecurity, and the long road to the passage of new legislative reform bills currently before the National Assembly, which constitute insurmountable hurdles, could equally discredit the promise since he will definitely rely on the manipulators of the corrupt institution.
Enumerating the constraints he would have to tackle in his patting shots, his immediate predecessor, Yakubu, said: “Election logistics involving the procurement, production, and transportation of huge quantities of materials by road, air, and sea are a monumental undertaking. So also, is the recruitment and training of election officials, voter education, and engagement with stakeholders.”
Albeit, what Prof Amupitan could do in the present circumstances to make any impact in the Anambra election would be to ensure a deliberate, efficient deployment and near-perfect operational efficiency of the BVAS and, more importantly, a glitch-free electronic transmission of the election results from the PUs into the IReV portal.
Then looking beyond the next month’s poll, Prof Amupitan should concentrate on technological innovations that can outsmart the stakeholders, particularly the politicians and their endless antics to manipulate the electoral process to their advantage.
Interestingly, his job could even be simplified by the ongoing electoral amendments by both chambers of the National Assembly, proposing a single day for the conduct of all the elections and the reservation of the technicalities of the onus of proof of election results to the commission.
Again, the massive defection of state governors, National Assembly members, and politicians of repute into the APC, with the likelihood of turning the country into a one-party state to reduce election pressure, will also make his responsibility milder, less stressful, less controversial, and less cumbersome to manipulate.
In his advice to the new electoral umpire, a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the opposition coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Keneth Okonkwo, said: “Prof Amupitan, therefore, inherits a broken INEC which requires attitudinal change as well as electoral amendments to attain its expected level of performance.
“Even with the present electoral laws, Amupitan can still deliver free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria with just the deployment of BVAS and IReV Portal. He can still ask for electoral amendments to the Electoral Act to still enshrine the IReV Portal and electronically transmitted results in the Electoral Act unequivocally.
“Nigerians expect a new era with Amupitan. It is only a free and fair election in Nigeria that can guarantee the development and advancement of Nigeria. Fraudulent elections will eventually lead to the destruction of our democracy, as there is a limit to the injustice people of a country can tolerate. They may resort to violence if peaceful transition through free and fair elections becomes impossible,” Okonkwo said.
By Romanus Ugwu, @TheSUN
