Open Letter to INEC Chairman Amupitan: Restoring Trust in Nigeria’s Democracy

Dear Professor Joash Amupitan,

I write this open letter on the occasion of your confirmation by the Nigerian Senate as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. As the gavel fell and acclaim rippled through the chambers, Nigeria watched and now begins a pivotal test of democracy. Your approval is not just a personal victory; it is a mandate to steer the integrity of our elections, from one generation to the next.

You entered the screening under intense public scrutiny. Senators pressed you on crucial matters administration, policy, the Electoral Act and your responses offered texture beyond your CV. You pledged that under your leadership, “losers will have cause to congratulate winners,” emphasizing that the mark of a credible election lies not solely in victory, but in acceptance of its fairness. 

You articulated confidence that INEC would “lean into technology and transparency,” promising that result collation and publication become immutable, not negotiable. These declarations now form the foundations upon which Nigerians will measure your tenure.

Your academic and professional stature gives weight to these promises. In your screening, you reminded legislators of your legal scholarship, your record of public service, and your reputation for balanced judgment. These credentials are not just mere accolades; they are the tools the nation hopes you will wield to harmonize INEC’s machinery with public expectation.

Still, you inherit a complicated legacy. Nigeria’s history with elections is marred by logistical failures, allegations of manipulation, delayed results, and lack of transparency. Under previous INEC leaderships, citizens grew skeptical, believing that votes might vanish into data clouds or be swallowed by hidden algorithms. That cycle of distrust must now be broken. Under your watch, elections must be not just free and credible but seen to be so.

So here is my humble appeal: let integrity be your compass, neutrality your guard, and innovation your ally. Consult civil society, open your books, resist partisan pressure, and release clear, verifiable data for every polling unit. When questions arise as they surely will, respond with clarity, not evasions. Uphold the dignity of every vote, especially in remote corners where monitoring is weakest and suspicion strongest.

I also speak to my fellow Nigerians: this moment is ours to support. Demand accountability, observe elections, challenge misinformation, and refuse cynicism. Our democracy is not a spectator sport. We must play our parts with devotion to truth over rumor, patience over despair.

Professor, you now carry both hope and challenge. Nigeria will remember not merely how you were confirmed, but how you governed. May your time at INEC be measured in restored faith, not flawed outcomes; in transparent systems, not shadowed decisions. History will record whether you rekindled trust in the ballot, or let it flicker again in uncertainty.

Yours in pursuit of true democracy,

David Godwin