Over 1,000 Lawyers Urge Senate to Disqualify Amupitan as INEC Chairman

A coalition of more than 1,000 lawyers under the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has urged the Senate to reject the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The group’s demand is contained in a letter dated October 10, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South).

ALDRAP argued that Prof. Amupitan’s previous role as Lead Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court disqualifies him from leading the electoral body. The association described his nomination as a “clear case of bias, conflict of interest, and violation of statutory codes of conduct,” insisting that the integrity of INEC depends on the neutrality of its leadership.

The petition, signed by ALDRAP’s Administrative Secretary, Jesse Williams Amuga, urged the Senate to suspend all confirmation proceedings and formally inform President Bola Tinubu that his nominee “does not meet the constitutional and ethical qualifications for the office.” The group reminded the Senate of its 2021 decision rejecting Lauretta Onochie’s nomination as INEC Commissioner over her ties to the APC, stating that Prof. Amupitan’s situation mirrors that precedent.

Citing Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (1991) and Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act (2003), ALDRAP maintained that Amupitan’s appointment would create a conflict between his personal and official interests. The lawyers argued that his past political and professional involvement with the APC could undermine public confidence in INEC’s independence.

The association noted that Nigeria has over 200,000 qualified lawyers, at least half of whom have no political affiliations, and therefore could serve as INEC Chairman without raising concerns about impartiality. ALDRAP also warned that it would initiate legal action if the Senate proceeds with the confirmation. “Take notice that in the event the Senate goes ahead to undertake confirmation of the said Prof. Joash Amupitan, our association shall be left with no option than to institute a lawsuit to compel adherence to the requirements of impartiality,” the letter stated.

Copies of the petition were sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Inspector-General of Police, and several diplomatic missions, including those of the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom.