Senate confirmation of Amupitan as INEC chair done deal – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed the Senate’s confirmation of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the exercise as nothing more than a mere formality.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abdullahi, stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Abdullahi argued that the pattern of recent approvals by the 10th Senate shows that the upper chamber has largely become an extension of the Presidency’s will.

“In all due respect to the National Assembly, we have learnt over time that the Senate confirmation, especially this Senate has declared that whatever the President wants, the President gets.

“So, I think it’s just formality that Amupitan goes to the Senate to be screened. It’s because it’s required, that’s why it’s done. There’s no way he would have been turned back for any reason whatsoever,” he said.

He, however, added that despite the seeming lack of independence in the confirmation process, the ADC would give the new INEC boss the benefit of the doubt to prove his commitment to credible elections.

Abdullahi maintained that Nigeria’s electoral problems are not primarily about logistics or technology, but the failure of human integrity within the system.

He urged Amupitan to demonstrate courage and impartiality in handling future elections, stressing that Nigerians are yearning for transparency and trust in the electoral process.