The Gbede Traditional Council has decried calls for the sack or resignation of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A statement signed on behalf of the traditional council by National President, Gbede Development Union (GDU), Chief Israel Oshafunmi, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday, said the call is the handiwork of enemies of democracy who are only out to distract the INEC Chairman from carrying out his constitutional assignment.
They stated that Prof. Amupitan remains the best man to manage INEC at this point and his appointment at this critical period is a step in the right direction in view of his antecedents as a successful legal luminary.
The traditional council reaffirmed its unflinching support to the Chairman of the nation’s electoral umpire, expressing confidence in his credibility, capacity and sagacity to conduct a transparent, free and fair election in 2027.
“As a Kingdom, we have studied and followed the matter carefully as those sponsoring this campaign of calumny are only interested in pulling him down and tarnishing his image which we will resist by every legal means.
“We wonder when carrying out one’s responsibility becomes a crime. Our son, Prof. Amupitan is a man that is well trained from home, upright and a man of impeccable character, who rose from rank and file to become who he is today.
“The truth remains that Nigeria belongs to all of us and Kogi State still remains one of the states in the North and any respect accorded anyone from that region of the country should be given to people from the Confluence State too.
“The entire people of Gbede Kingdom have absolute confidence in our son, the INEC Chairman as the elections he has conducted so far particularly that of Anambra Governorship poll have been adjudged as a free, fair and credible exercise,” the statement read.
The traditional council urged Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to dispel the allegations against Prof. Amupitan as they are baseless and calculated attempts to discredit him.
“The peace of Nigeria is above the interest of any political party or individual ambition. Those using the name of the Chairman in a bad light must desist as their actions are selfish and not in the interest of Nigeria.
“To our dear son, you are doing well and keep carrying out your duty without fear or favour as we are solidly behind you. Our prayers and support are with you and we know that by the grace of God, you will succeed.
“We express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Hon. Abbas Tajudeen for the confidence reposed in Prof. Amupitan,” the statement added.
