Anambra Governorship Poll: Litmus Test for New INEC Boss — HEDA Warns Amupitan Against Flawed Election

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has described the forthcoming November 8 Anambra Governorship Election as a “crucial credibility test” for the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN).

In a strongly worded statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA cautioned the new INEC helmsman against any form of electoral mismanagement that could further weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

> “This is not just another election; it is a defining moment for INEC and for Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement read.
“Prof. Amupitan must demonstrate transparency, fairness, and firmness in ensuring that every vote counts and every voice is heard.”

According to HEDA, the new INEC boss takes office at a critical juncture, when Nigerians are yearning for genuine electoral reform and an institution capable of delivering elections free from manipulation and controversy.

The group emphasised that Amupitan’s assignment transcends the mere coordination of polls, describing it as a national responsibility to rebuild trust in the electoral system and restore INEC’s battered image before the public and the international community.

While acknowledging the efforts of his predecessor, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, HEDA noted that “the last administration’s perceived lapses, particularly in result transmission, logistics, and voter suppression, left scars on the credibility of elections in Nigeria.” It urged Prof. Amupitan to learn from those experiences and rise above political pressures.

> “The expectations of Nigerians are very high,” HEDA warned.
“Any failure to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election in Anambra will not only dent his leadership but also deepen the crisis of trust in democratic institutions.”

HEDA further stressed that INEC’s core mandate remains the conduct of elections that truly reflect the will of the people. “Anything short of this,” the organisation cautioned, “will be a betrayal of public trust and a setback for Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

The group reaffirmed its readiness to work closely with INEC and other civil society organisations to promote transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

> “The civil society space will remain open for constructive engagement and collaboration,” Suraju stated, “as we all have a shared responsibility to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.”

Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) was sworn in last week as the new Chairman of INEC, succeeding Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. His first major test will be the Anambra Governorship Election, an exercise many observers believe will determine whether a new era of electoral credibility has truly begun.