A former Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ayo Olowonihi, has expressed strong confidence in the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo-Amupitan, saying he will uphold free and fair elections in Nigeria.
Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ programme on Thursday, Olowonihi described Amupitan as a man of integrity, courage, and hard work, who will not allow electoral injustice under his leadership.
“Amupitan is the INEC chairman who will let Nigerians elect their leaders. He’s not going to be the kind of chairman who tells people to ‘go to court’ after flawed elections,” he said.
His comment referred to the widely criticised practice in past elections where citizens were told to seek legal redress instead of seeing their votes count.
Professor Amupitan, a lawyer and academic, was recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the new INEC chairman, following the expiration of Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure. His appointment has generated mixed reactions, with many Nigerians watching closely to see how he will handle upcoming elections.
Olowonihi believes Amupitan is the right man for the job, pointing to his long-standing career in law and academics, which he says has equipped him with the knowledge and discipline to lead INEC independently.
“He’s a hard worker, a man of character and integrity. The tougher the job gets, the harder he’ll work,” Olowonihi said.
He also stressed that Amupitan’s background gives him the ability to resist political pressure and stay focused on conducting credible elections.
Nigerians have consistently raised concerns over electoral fraud, voter suppression, and lack of transparency in the electoral process. In past elections, the phrase “go to court” became symbolic of public frustration, as many believed the judicial system failed to address electoral irregularities.
With Amupitan at the helm of INEC, Olowonihi hopes that election outcomes will reflect the will of the people, and that voters will regain confidence in the democratic process.
As Nigeria prepares for future elections, attention will remain on INEC’s new leadership and whether it can deliver on the promise of credible, transparent, and fair polls.
