By Abiola Olawale
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Senate to apply a measured approach for the confirmation of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The PDP’s statement, issued Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, warned against hasty approval of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee.
The party also demanded for comprehensive scrutiny of Amupitan’s background, qualifications, and potential biases.
The opposition party said the Senate must not ‘rubber-stamp’ the nomination, stressing that the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, already under public suspicion after the 2023 general elections, now hangs on how transparently the upper chamber manages the confirmation hearing.
The statement reads in part; “We recognise the constitutional process that allows the President to nominate through the Council of State, which has now been done. The next step is for the Senate to conduct a thorough confirmation hearing on behalf of the Nigerian people.
“Our position as a party has always been the need to build strong institutions. When institutions work, it matters little who heads them because the systems themselves ensure accountability. INEC is critical to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, and we expect the Senate to do its job diligently.
“If the nominee is confirmed, he must recognise that he carries a heavy responsibility for democracy’s future in this country. Nigerians, and indeed the world, are watching. There can be no repeat of the glitches, inconclusive elections, and excuses of the past.
“Democracy thrives when the process of producing leaders is transparent, credible, and trusted by the people. That legitimacy is what makes government responsive to its citizens. We therefore hope the Senate will do justice to this nomination in the interest of democracy and good governance.”
