Nigeria’s major political parties have expressed support for the plan by the newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to review the role of university lecturers in election management.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) described the proposal as a timely step toward restoring confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Amupitan, a professor of law and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday after a three-hour screening session. He succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended recently after two terms.
During his screening, senators raised concerns over allegations that some academics who served as returning officers in previous elections had failed integrity tests. Amupitan said he would conduct a review of the process, adding: “We will ensure that those who handle election results are not only competent but credible.”
Returning officers, mostly drawn from universities, collate results and declare winners at the constituency level. However, several have faced accusations of misconduct, including falsifying results.
In 2023, Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo was jailed for perjury and publishing false results in the 2019 Akwa Ibom State elections.
APC spokesman Bala Ibrahim said the review was necessary to improve transparency. PDP youth leader Timothy Osadolor urged INEC to involve credible academics and civil society representatives in future elections.
