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“You made a commendable choice” – Yoruba elders hail Tinubu for appointing new INEC chair

YCE

The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Joash Amupitan as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the choice as “commendable and well-considered.”

Oladipo Oyewole, secretary-general of the YCE, said in a statement that Amupitan’s appointment reflects the president’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through credible leadership at the electoral body.

According to Oyewole, the council believes that Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), possesses the legal expertise and integrity required to lead INEC effectively, especially as the nation prepares for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general polls.

He stated: “Keeping in full view the fact that Nigeria is a growing democracy, the Yoruba Council of Elders holds on to the elders’ view that growth is good when it is progressive.

“As a nation, we cannot be static. This country deserves the best at any given time. We relish the power of a large population wherein talents abound among Nigerians of good means.”

Oyewole noted that Amupitan’s legal background would serve the nation well in upholding the rule of law and restoring public confidence in the electoral system.

“In the appointment of this lawyer of good standing, who knows the in-and-out of the laws, we congratulate Mr President on this choice of the new arbiter,” he said.

The YCE urged the new INEC chairman to “hit the ground running” by addressing irregularities and lapses that have plagued past elections.

“We would want him to allow the rule of law to be applied to the extent that it will remove the untruthfulness, cheating and all inadequacies of electioneering processes of the past,” Oyewole added.

He also called for improvements in voter registration and the use of technology to ensure that all Nigerians can vote freely and fairly.

“We would want an improvement of voters’ registration that will protect all registered Nigerian voters so that they can fulfil their common civic obligations by voting right without being conscripted,” he said.

The YCE secretary-general stressed that the electoral commission must be seen as truly independent and guided by fairness, transparency, and justice.

“We want this erudite legal practitioner to protect the interest of all concerned through a ‘fair play’ policy and other actions that will solidify our position as a democratic nation,” Oyewole said.

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