INEC chair’s kinsmen rally behind him amid political pressure, urges end to “campaign of calumny”

Residents of Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State have staged a massive show of support for the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, warning critics to desist from what they described as attempts to distract him from his constitutional duties.

More than 1,000 indigenes—mostly youths—marched through the community in a solidarity rally, chanting slogans and displaying placards with messages such as “Stop Campaign of Calumny Against Our Son,” “Thank you Mr. President for the Choice of Professor Joash Amupitan,” and “Stop Trying to Pull him Down.”

Speaking during the rally, the National President of the Ayetoro Gbede Development Association, Samuel Olorunmaiye, described the INEC chairman as a seasoned administrator and legal scholar with a proven track record of public service.

“Prof. Amupitan is a man of value and we value him. I want to tell Nigerians to allow him to do his job and by the grace of God, we know that he is going to succeed,” he said.

Olorunmaiye highlighted Amupitan’s career trajectory, noting that he had served as Head of Department of Public Law at the University of Jos, later became the longest-serving Dean of the Faculty of Law, and subsequently rose to the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).

He further urged the electoral chief to remain steadfast in the face of mounting criticism and focus on delivering credible polls.

“He urged him to remain focused and deliver a free, fair and transparent election come 2027.”

Dismissing allegations of partisanship against the INEC boss, the community leader said such claims were unfounded and politically driven.

“According to him, the allegations that the INEC Boss is Partisan, is baseless and untrue, saying as a Legal Luminary, he understands the sanity of his office.”

Also addressing the gathering, the Youth Leader of the community, Elijah Babatunde, declared unwavering support for Amupitan both at home and in the diaspora.

Comrade Babatunde enjoined him not to be distracted by non State Actors but remain focused and carryout his official duties in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the Electoral Act.

He noted that calls for the resignation of electoral commission heads were not new in Nigeria’s political landscape, insisting that the current pressure on Amupitan should be seen in that context.

The Youth Leader maintained that calls for the resignation of Prof. Amupitan is not the first time some Nigerians are calling for the sack or resignation of the Head of the Electoral Umpire.

Babatunde further argued that attempts to link the INEC chairman to partisan interests were deliberate efforts to undermine his office.

According to him, “linking the INEC Chairman to a Political Party is politically motivated to distract him from performing his official assignment.”

Reaffirming confidence in Amupitan’s integrity, he added, “Prof. Joash Amupitan that we know is a man of integrity and will never compromise standard. He is not a politician, he is a neutral person who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to head the Commission.”

The show of support from Ayetoro Gbede comes amid rising political tension surrounding the leadership of INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In recent weeks, opposition voices and some political groups have called for the resignation of Prof. Amupitan, alleging bias and questioning his neutrality—claims the electoral body has consistently denied.

The controversy has been further amplified by internal crises within opposition parties, particularly disputes over party leadership and legal battles that have drawn the commission into contentious decisions regarding recognition of party executives.

Analysts say such pressure on electoral umpires is not unprecedented in Nigeria, where INEC leadership has often faced criticism from political actors during pre-election periods.

Against this backdrop, the Ayetoro Gbede rally reflects a growing counter-narrative from supporters who insist that the commission must be allowed to operate independently without political interference as preparations for the next general election intensify.