The Ijumu Development Union (IDU) has risen in defense of Professor Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Addressing a press conference held in Lokoja on Monday, the National President of the Ijumu Development Union (IDU), Ahmed-Ade Fatai, said those calling for Amupitan’s sack or resignation are enemies of democracy.
Speaking on behalf of the entire people of Ijumu Kingdom, Ahmed-Ade expressed confidence that Prof. Amupitan would conduct the freest, credible and transparent election in the history of Nigeria’s electoral system.
He said Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has not committed any sin and cannot be the sacrificial lamb of any political party or groups, who are only interested in their selfish agenda and cannot represent or reflect of the will of Nigerians.
He insisted that calls for the sack of Prof. Amupitan should be discarded and thrown in the bin as those behind it are mischief makers.
“We stand before you as one united voice, not in bitterness, but in bold defense of excellence, integrity, and the future of our democracy.
“Professor Joash Amupitan is not a stranger to this nation. He is a reputable lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a man of unquestionable character, and a distinguished academic, a former Deputy Vice chancellor of University of Jos, whose depth of knowledge in constitutional and electoral law is widely acknowledged. He is that rare professional who can look at the law and immediately distinguish between what is right and what is convenient.
“Above all, Professor Joash Amupitan is our son, a true and proud son of the Ijumu Kingdom. He is a worthy ambassador of our land who has brought honour to Ijumu through his hard work, integrity, and outstanding achievements,” he said.
The IDU National President cautioned against blackmail and harassment of the INEC Chairman because he hails from a minority ethnic group.
“For us to be a minority is not a crime. It has never been, and it must never become one. The only crime would be to punish competence because of where a man comes from. Professor Amupitan was not appointed to represent any ethnic interest; he was appointed to serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria to safeguard the ballot, to protect every vote, and to strengthen the trust of over 200 million Nigerians in the democratic process.
“He has shown, through his conduct and scholarship, that he fully understands the sacred tenets of his duty: neutrality, transparency, fairness, and unwavering commitment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Today we say with one voice: We should allow him to remain focused so as to deliver responsibly the assignment at his hands,” Ahmed-Ade said.
The Ijumu Development Union said what Nigeria need at the moment is stability, continuity and a chairman who is allowed to finished the job he was given by rganizing credible, free and fair elections that will make every citizen proud, regardless of tribe, tongue, or political leaning.
“Nigeria does not need another distraction at the helm of INEC. Removing a man of his calibre at this critical moment sends the wrong signal to the world and to our own children: that excellence can be discarded simply because the bearer belongs to a minority group.”
He called on the Federal Government, National Assembly, and all well-meaning Nigerians to listen to the cry of every Nigerian who believes that merit must matter more than imagination.
“Professor Joash Amupitan has the capacity, the character, and the competence to deliver. Give him the peace of mind and the institutional support to do exactly that.
“We are not asking for favours. We are asking for fairness. We are not asking for protection. We are asking for performance to be judged on its own merit.”
IDU expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for having faith in the capacity of the INEC Chairman.
