The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Nigerian Senate not to rush or politicise the confirmation process of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party said any hasty approval without proper scrutiny could further weaken public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system, which is already under intense scrutiny following the 2023 general elections.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, issued the warning on Friday in Abuja after the inaugural meeting of the Venue Sub-Committee for the party’s 2025 Elective National Convention, chaired by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Lawal.
Ologunagba said Nigerians and the international community were closely watching how the Senate would handle the confirmation process, stressing that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the integrity of the upper chamber.
“We recognise the constitutional process that allows the President to nominate through the Council of State, which has now been done. The next step is for the Senate to conduct a thorough confirmation hearing on behalf of the Nigerian people,” he said.
He warned that the Senate must not rubber-stamp the nomination, adding that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions now rests on how transparently the lawmakers handle the process.
According to him, the PDP’s position has always been that strong institutions, not individuals, are the foundation of a stable democracy.
“Our position as a party has always been the need to build strong institutions. When institutions work, it matters little who heads them because the systems themselves ensure accountability,” Ologunagba said.
He added that INEC remains a vital pillar of Nigeria’s democracy, and the Senate has a responsibility to ensure that its leadership commands the confidence of Nigerians.
“INEC is critical to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, and we expect the Senate to do its job diligently,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier nominated Professor Joash Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as the new chairman of INEC, pending Senate confirmation, following the expiration of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure.
The PDP’s caution comes amid renewed public calls for electoral reforms and demands for stronger independence for INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
