Professor Amupitan, new inec chairman.webp
The Digest:

The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) argues that Professor Joash Amupitan's previous role as Lead Counsel to the APC during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition creates an irreconcilable conflict of interest, threatening the impartiality required to oversee Nigeria's elections.

Key Points:
  • Over 1,000 lawyers under ALDRAP have petitioned the Senate to reject Prof. Joash Amupitan's INEC nomination.
  • The petition cites his role as Lead Counsel to the APC in the 2023 Presidential Election Petition.
  • ALDRAP claims this represents a "clear case of bias" and violates statutory codes of conduct.
  • The group referenced the precedent of the Senate's 2021 rejection of Lauretta Onochie for similar reasons.
  • They warned of legal action if the Senate proceeds with confirmation.
  • The petition was sent to President Tinubu, security agencies, and foreign diplomatic missions.
  • ALDRAP emphasized that Nigeria has over 100,000 qualified lawyers without political affiliations.
This confrontation places Nigeria's electoral integrity at the center of a heated debate over political neutrality and constitutional standards.

Sources: Vanguard