Professor Joash Amupitan, nominee for Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has vowed to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, promising to ensure elections are so credible that “losers will have no choice but to congratulate winners.”

Speaking on Thursday during his Senate screening, Amupitan laid out a reform-focused agenda centered on integrity, transparency, accountability, and the use of technology to strengthen election logistics and security.

“I’m taking this position on trust, and my people must appreciate that they hold their positions on trust as well,” he told lawmakers.

“We will set up an ethical committee to review complaints that have been ignored and pursue every case to conclusion.”

Key reforms include the establishment of an internal ethical committee, implementation of a whistleblower policy, enforcement of financial transparency, collaboration with the National Assembly on creating an Electoral Offences Commission, deployment of drones and improved logistics for difficult-to-access regions, enhanced voter and civic education as well as streamlining election timelines and clearer procedures.

Amupitan emphasized that fighting corruption within the commission would be a top priority, adding that ethical lapses must be addressed through internal accountability mechanisms.

“We’ll pursue complaints, introduce whistleblowing, and use forensic methods if necessary,” he stated.

“People have reported issues in the past, but nothing was done. That will change.”

On election security, he acknowledged ongoing challenges but promised new strategies to ensure no voter is disenfranchised, regardless of location.

“Even if we need to use drones, we will reach every part of Nigeria. No voter will be left behind.”

Amupitan also weighed in on the debate around real-time transmission of election results, stating that the Electoral Act needs clearer provisions.

“The Electoral Act is not yet conclusive on that issue. If confirmed, I will contribute my expertise to improve it,” he said.

He further pledged strict adherence to public procurement laws to prevent misuse of INEC funds, saying transparency would guide all financial activities.

“We will ensure funds are used for their intended purposes and saved where possible,” he said.

The law professor concluded by stressing that civic education would play a key role in deepening democratic culture in Nigeria.

“We’ll build capacity across all election stakeholders and engage in aggressive voter education to promote democratic values.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, over his recent criticisms of public school conditions in Abuja.

Obi, during a visit to LEA Primary School in Kapwa, Abuja, decried the poor infrastructure in FCT schools, labeling it a national embarrassment and a sign of Nigeria’s weak commitment to education.

The visit coincided with his birthday, which he marked among displaced persons, a move that has now drawn sharp reactions from Wike.

Speaking at the inauguration of newly constructed roads in the capital, Wike dismissed Obi’s remarks, accusing him of using emotional optics to gain political mileage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Mr. Peter Obi, we came into office just two years ago, not even four,” Wike said.

“You were governor for eight years. If I were you, I would keep quiet. Enough is enough.”

The FCT minister was particularly critical of Obi’s decision to celebrate his birthday at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, suggesting that such gestures were politically motivated.

“You don’t become president by visiting IDP camps for birthdays,” Wike said pointedly.

“Did you celebrate your birthdays in IDP camps when you were governor of Anambra? Now that you want to be president, suddenly every birthday is with the less privileged. Who are you trying to deceive?”

Wike also hinted at plans to unveil his administration’s efforts to upgrade public schools in the FCT next week.

He accused Obi of spreading propaganda and warned against politicising every issue.

In a final jab, Wike questioned Obi’s leadership capabilities, saying:

“He couldn’t even manage the party under which he contested. He will keep contesting on social media, but he will not be president of Nigeria.”

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has imposed a total cost of ₦1.25 million on former Kaduna State governor Malam Nasiru El-Rufai and four others over what it described as an abuse of court process.

Justice Ngozika Nwabulu, delivering the ruling on Thursday, ordered each of the five defendants to pay ₦250,000 for failing to file their responses to a suit brought against them by Hon. Adamu Ahmad Dattijo and Alhaji Suleiman Abdullahi.

The case, filed on September 9, 2025 (Suit No: FCT/HJ/GAR/CV/383/2025), seeks an order to restrain the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from recognising El-Rufai, Jafaru Sani, and Bashir Saidu as members of the party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ADC were also listed as co-defendants in the suit.

During Thursday’s proceedings, claimants’ counsel, Taiwo Hassan, informed the court that all defendants had been duly served with the necessary processes but failed to respond.

He described their inaction as a deliberate abuse of judicial procedure and requested sanctions against them.

While the 3rd to 5th defendants were represented in court by Barrister B.E. Eleng, the 1st and 2nd defendants (El-Rufai and Sani) were absent and unrepresented.

Eleng pleaded for leniency, citing the unavailability of a key witness who was to depose to an affidavit.

However, Hassan opposed the plea, arguing that the excuse was weak and did not justify the failure to act within the stipulated time.

Justice Nwabulu agreed with the claimants, ruling that the defendants’ failure to respond was unjustified.

She awarded ₦250,000 in costs against each defendant, to be paid before the next hearing.

The matter was adjourned to October 20, 2025, for continuation.

The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

His confirmation followed a screening session held on Thursday, during which lawmakers assessed his qualifications and vision for the electoral body.

Prof. Amupitan is a seasoned legal scholar and professor of law.

Veteran Nollywood actor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Governor Douye Diri’s seat in Bayelsa State vacant following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Diri tendered his resignation from the PDP on Wednesday, alongside members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, during an expanded State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Yenagoa.

While Diri cited “obvious reasons” for leaving the party, he did not elaborate further.

His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the development in an official statement, revealing that key political figures, including Speaker Abraham Ingobere, his deputy Michael Ogbere and APGA minority leader Edward Brigidi, were present at the meeting.

Seven other lawmakers reportedly joined the governor in leaving the PDP.

Diri said the decision was made after broad consultations with political stakeholders in the state and thanked his supporters for their loyalty.

He encouraged them to remain steadfast as his administration continues its work to build a stronger Bayelsa.

However, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was notably absent from the meeting, and no mention was made of his political status in the resignation announcement.

Reacting to the development, Okonkwo took to his Instagram page to argue that Diri had, by resigning from his party and not aligning with a new one, automatically forfeited his mandate.

Quoting Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that a person must be a member of a political party and be sponsored by that party to be eligible for the office of governor, Okonkwo maintained that Diri is now in breach of the constitution.

“Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has just vacated his seat as governor by resigning from the PDP and not belonging to any party,” Okonkwo wrote.

“The position of the law is that every elected member of the government must be a member of a political party, as provided in Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution.

Governor Diri, being not a member of any political party, has lost his seat as governor.

An elected member of government can only defect from one party to another, but cannot be partyless at any point in time.”

He urged INEC to act swiftly, insisting that the commission should declare the governorship seat vacant and organise a fresh election within 90 days.

“I therefore call on INEC to declare his seat vacant immediately and conduct a gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State within the next 90 days,” he added.