Social Democratic Party (SDP) has applauded the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party said it considers the appointment a breadth of fresh air.
In a statement made available to newsmen by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the Acting National Chairman of SDP, Dr. Sadìq Umar Abubakar Gombe, congratulated Prof. Amupitan who was nominated on Thursday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body.
He replaces Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who has stepped down after ten years of being in the saddle as the chairman of Africa’s largest electoral commission.
The SDP called on the new chairman to prioritize true national interest and work for democratic consolidation.
“As a national political party that promotes true national agenda, the SDP expresses positive and hopeful expectations, and looks forward to working with, and supporting the new chairman to move our democracy forward, but will not relent in its characteristic resilience in standing strong to challenge
any form of manifest anti-democracy tendency.
“Going by the nationwide excitement elicited by the news of the nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, and the avalanche of commendations from many quarters of the appointment as being the right choice by the president, the party hopes that Professor Amupitan will give Nigerians real joy in practical terms by prioritizing the true interests of Nigeria and working for democratic consolidation, particularly in the next off-circle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, which will serve as litmus tests for his capacity, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Considering the impressive background of the new chairman, his much-acclaimed pedigree of integrity and competence which was reported to have been enthusiastically alluded to by Governor Ahmed Ododo of his home state when the president presented the name of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, at the Council of State meeting, the SDP is hopeful that the new helmsman will translate the prevailing national excitement to concrete fulfilment by discharging his duty with impeccable integrity and honour, and will build on the notable reforms that were initiated by his predecessor.
“It is hoped that the new chairman will give rule of law a pride of place, will respect the sovereignty of political parties and the commission will not be meddlesome in their internal affairs under his watch, will engender positive spirit by boosting staff morale, improve the negative public rating of the commission, and will increase its credibility by innovating and benchmarking international best practices, thereby, bringing sustainable transformation to INEC for the good of Nigeria,” the statement read.
While commending Professor Mahmood Yakubu for doing the best he could do, which is largely considered a dismal performance, the party looked forward and prayed that the coming of Professor Joash Amupitan will truly be a renewal of hope, and usher in a refreshing experience for Nigerians and Nigeria.
The SDP enjoined the political class, civil society, and all Nigerians support the new INEC Chairman.
The party prayed for Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, the new chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to succeed on this strategic national assignment.
