“I Want Elections Where Loser Will Congratulate Winner” – INEC Chairman Amupitan

The newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has said that Nigeria deserves elections so credible that losers would have no hesitation congratulating winners.

Amupitan made the remark on Thursday during his screening by the Senate, shortly before his confirmation as INEC Chairman. He pledged to review the Electoral Act to enhance the integrity and credibility of future elections across the country.

The law professor noted that inconsistencies in Nigeria’s election timelines have affected the conduct of credible polls and stressed the need to improve the process to restore public confidence in the electoral system.

“We’re going to ensure that elections are credible enough for the loser to congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well,’” Amupitan said. “If we can achieve that, it would be like a judge delivering a fair judgment where even the convicted person admits to having received justice.”

Following more than two hours of questioning, the Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment as the new head of Nigeria’s electoral body.