When the Council of State confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it was treated as a major national development. Headlines described it as a turning point for Nigeria’s democracy. Yet beyond the excitement lies a deeper reality: no matter how upright or capable the INEC chairperson may be, the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends on the strength of the entire system. True progress requires shifting attention from individuals to institutions, processes, and the participation of citizens.
The Power and the Limits of the INEC Chair
Public conversations often place the INEC Chair at the centre of Nigeria’s electoral success or failure. While leadership matters, focusing too much on one office risks misunderstanding the roots of our electoral challenges. The INEC Chair operates within a structure shaped by laws, internal bureaucracy, limited resources, political pressure, and logistical constraints.
Even the process of appointment carries political weight. The President nominates the Chair, and the Senate confirms the appointment after consulting the Council of State. This arrangement can influence loyalty and compromise independence from the very start.
The truth is that credible elections depend on multiple actors: Resident Electoral Commissioners, field officers, security agencies, party agents, the judiciary, observers, and voters. Asking whether Amupitan can “deliver” is the wrong question. The right one is whether Nigeria’s entire system can.
What Matters More: Systems, Not Personalities
For a genuine improvement in our elections, Nigeria must strengthen the mechanisms that make democracy work beyond any one person.
- Legal and Constitutional Reform
The current method of appointing the INEC Chair gives too much power to the executive. Lawmakers are considering proposals to reduce presidential influence and involve neutral institutions such as the National Judicial Council. Past reform efforts also recommended independent funding for INEC and more transparent appointments. Until these are implemented, every chair will operate under political pressure. - Institutional Capacity and Funding
INEC needs consistent and adequate funding, along with modern tools, trained staff, and reliable logistics. Local election centres often struggle the most, creating space for errors and manipulation. The Electoral Act 2022 introduced positive changes, but implementation remains inconsistent. - Operational Integrity Across All Levels
Since no national chair can monitor every polling station, integrity must be embedded in local operations. Proper selection and oversight of Resident Electoral Commissioners, fair recruitment of polling staff, and strong disciplinary systems for misconduct are essential. - Security and Judiciary as Pillars of Fairness
Security agencies must act impartially on election day, protecting both voters and electoral officers without bias. The judiciary must resolve election petitions swiftly and transparently. Delayed or questionable rulings weaken public confidence in the process. - Civil Society and Citizen Oversight
Civil society groups, election monitors, the media, and citizens play a vital role in maintaining transparency. When people are informed and ready to defend their rights, the space for manipulation shrinks. Credible elections depend not only on officials but also on an active and vigilant electorate.
Why Nigerians Should Care
Elections that are seen as unfair or manipulated damage more than the reputation of INEC—they weaken democracy itself. Vote buying, late result announcements, and court disputes create mistrust and apathy among citizens. A credible election is not only about who wins but about whether people still believe in the system that determines the winner.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the leadership of Professor Amupitan will come under heavy scrutiny. Many Nigerians already doubt that an appointee of the president can act independently. The challenge, therefore, is to build a system that even the chair must obey, not one where the chair determines the system’s direction.
A Path Forward
- To strengthen electoral credibility, the following actions are essential:
- Amend the Constitution to ensure the appointment of INEC leaders is free from executive dominance.
- Guarantee independent and protected funding for INEC.
- Publish transparent reports on procurement, logistics, and recruitment of election personnel.
- Expand civic education and monitoring initiatives, especially in rural areas.
- Build partnerships among civil society, media, and citizens for real-time election oversight.
- Ensure accountability of security forces during elections.
- Strengthen state and local electoral bodies to prevent weak links in the democratic chain.
Conclusion: The New Chair Is Only a Symbol—The Real Umpires Are the People
Professor Joash Amupitan’s appointment marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s democratic story. But progress will not come from a single leader. It will come from a collective effort to reform institutions, enforce laws, empower citizens, and demand transparency. When Nigerians themselves become the guardians of their democracy, elections will no longer be about personalities but about the will of the people truly reflected at the ballot box.
