Relatives of INEC chairman support him amid political pressure, urge end to “slander campaign”

Residents of Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of ​​Kogi State showed massive support to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, and warned critics to stop what they described as attempts to divert his attention from his constitutional duties.

More than 1,000 indigenous people—mostly young people—marched through the community in solidarity, chanting slogans and unfurling placards with messages such as “Stop the Slander Campaign Against Our Son,” “Thank you Mr. President for the Choice of Professor Joash Amupitan,” and “Stop Trying to Take Him Down.”

Speaking at the rally, the National President of the Ayetoro Gbede Development Association, Samuel Olorunmaiye, described the INEC chairman as an experienced administrator and legal graduate with a proven track record in public service.

“Prof. Amupitan is a man of value and we appreciate him. I want to tell Nigerians to let him do his job and by the grace of God, we know that he will succeed,” he said.

Olorunmaiye highlighted Amupitan’s career trajectory, noting that he served as Head of the Public Law Department at the University of Jos, then became the longest-serving Dean of the Faculty of Law, and later rose to the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).

He further urged the election chief to remain steadfast in the face of mounting criticism and focus on holding credible elections.

“He urged him to remain focused and hold free, fair and transparent elections in 2027.”

Rejecting accusations of partiality against the INEC boss, the community leader said the claims were baseless and had political overtones.

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According to him, the allegation that the INEC Boss is a Partisan, is baseless and untrue, saying as a Legal Person, he understands the sanity of his office.

In his address at the gathering, the community’s Youth Leader, Elijah Babatunde, expressed unwavering support for the Amupitans both within the country and in the diaspora.

Comrade Babatunde enjoined him not to be distracted by non-State Actors but remain focused and carry out his official duties in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the Electoral Act.

He noted that calls for the resignation of the chairman of the electoral commission were not new in the Nigerian political landscape, and stressed that the current pressure on Amupitan should be seen in that context.

The youth leader emphasized that the call for Prof.’s resignation. Amupitan is not the first time some Nigerians have called for the removal or resignation of the Chief Election Referee.

Babatunde further argued that attempts to link the INEC chairman to partisan interests was a deliberate attempt to undermine his office.

According to him, “linking the INEC Chairman with a Political Party is politically motivated to divert his attention from carrying out his official duties.”

Reaffirming his confidence in Amupitan’s integrity, he added, “The Prof. Joash Amupitan we know is a man of integrity and will never compromise standards. He is not a politician, he is a neutral person appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead the Commission.”

The support from Ayetoro Gbede comes amid rising political tensions surrounding INEC’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

In recent weeks, opposition voices and several political groups have called for Prof. Amupitan, accusing him of bias and questioning his neutrality—claims the electoral body has consistently denied.

The controversy has been further exacerbated by internal crises within opposition parties, particularly disputes over party leadership and legal disputes that have drawn the commission into controversial decisions regarding the recognition of party executives.

Analysts say pressure on election umpires is not unprecedented in Nigeria, where INEC’s leadership has often faced criticism from political actors during the pre-election period.

Against this backdrop, Ayetoro Gbede’s rally reflects a growing counter-narrative from supporters who insist that the commission should be allowed to operate independently without political interference as preparations for the next general election intensify.