By Emmanuel Oloniruha
A Coalition of political parties, Civil Society Organisations, and community groups has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan .
The coalition during a solidarity march to the INEC headquarters in Abuja, expressed confidence in the INEC leadership under Amupitan, following the conduct of the Osun governorship election.
The convener of the march, Mr Obed Agu, said they were at INEC not to protest, but to appreciate an institution whose management of the Osun election had renewed public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He said that the visit was also to present the coalition’s communiqué from a national post-election discourse on the just concluded Osun Governorship election.
He noted that the group, convened by the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights, comprised representatives of political parties, ethnic youth groups, religious leaders, women leaders, and other civic stakeholders who engaged in a two-day post-election review.
Agu said that the review critically examined pre-election preparations, election-day operations, security coordination, results management, and stakeholder engagement.
“Prof. Amupitan, SAN, has earned our confidence. We are aware that when Amupitan assumed office as Chairman of INEC, there were questions about his independence.
“But democracy requires that we judge people by their conduct. Today, after observing the Osun election, we say: judge him by what he has done,” he said.
Agu said that the INEC chairman demonstrated institutional independence, strictly followed electoral timelines, engaged political parties transparently, and maintained active preparations toward the 2027 general elections.
He said that while public confidence had been restored, INEC was expected to maintain higher standards in future elections.
He added that success of the Osun election should serve as a benchmark across the nation rather than an isolated case.
“We expect every Nigerian voter to be treated equally, every political party to be treated fairly, every vote to count, and the Commission to remain independent,” he added.
Agu also commended President Bola Tinubu and the country’s security agencies for fostering a non-interfering environment that permitted a fair electoral outcome.
“The Federal Government’s conduct demonstrates an important principle: government can be powerful without using that power to determine electoral outcomes,” Agu said.
He also urged security personnel to maintain neutrality in 2027, while calling on the political class to let the electorate decide.
Agu also urged Nigerians not to give up on democracy and to remain active in holding institutions accountable.
National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, receiving the the communiqué commended the coalition for expressing it confidence in INEC.
Haruna pledged INEC commitment to delivering credible elections including the 2027 general election, saying what happened in Osun was consistent with what INEC stood for.
“For us, it is consistent with what INEC stood for, which is that we are committed to free, fair and credible election.
“You will agree with me that all election we have had, each one has always been better than the one before.
“So, consistent with that, God willing, the few by-elections we still have, there will be improvement, and ultimately, the 2027 general election there will also be an improvement,” Haruna said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola