A coalition of more than 1,000 lawyers under the banner of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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In a petition dated October 10, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), the group alleged that Prof. Amupitan’s previous role as Lead Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition renders him unfit for the sensitive position of INEC Chairman.
ALDRAP argued that his nomination “constitutes a clear case of bias, conflict of interest, and violation of statutory codes of conduct,” warning that proceeding with his confirmation would “undermine public confidence in the electoral system.”
According to the letter signed by ALDRAP’s Administrative Secretary, Jesse Williams Amuga, the Senate should emulate its 2021 decision rejecting the nomination of Lauretta Onochie over partisan links to the APC.
“The Senate must act in line with precedent. Prof. Amupitan’s case falls squarely within the standard of disqualification established when Lauretta Onochie’s nomination was rejected,” the letter read.
The group cited Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (1991) and Section 19 of the ICPC Act (2003), both of which prohibit public officers from occupying positions where personal interests could conflict with official duties.
“Having served as Lead Counsel to the APC, Prof. Amupitan cannot credibly discharge the impartial responsibilities of an INEC Chairman, especially in elections involving the APC and other parties,” ALDRAP stated.
The lawyers further noted that Nigeria has over 200,000 qualified legal practitioners, many of whom are unaffiliated with political parties and could serve without the appearance of bias.
ALDRAP also cautioned that if the Senate proceeds with the confirmation, it will take legal action to compel compliance with constitutional provisions on impartiality.
“Take notice that should the Senate proceed to confirm Prof. Amupitan, our association shall institute legal proceedings to enforce adherence to constitutional standards,” the letter warned.
Copies of the petition were sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Director-General of the DSS, the Inspector-General of Police, and foreign diplomatic missions, including the European Union, United States, and United Kingdom embassies in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has urged Prof. Amupitan to prioritize rebuilding public trust in INEC, describing his immediate task as one of restoring confidence in the commission’s integrity and independence.
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