Concern has been raised by Sam Amadi, the director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, regarding Professor Joash Amupitan’s appointment as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) chairman.
He bemoaned the fact that Nigerians are ignorant of the risks they now face as a result of Amupitan’s appointment in a post on đť•Ź on Saturday.
He criticized the populace for applauding Amupitan’s legal prowess rather than dictating his course of action and warning him against making the same mistakes as his predecessor, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
He claims that rather of holding politicians responsible, Nigerians are trivializing important national concerns.
Amadi stated: “Nigerians. They are complimenting his litigation abilities rather than giving him a clear agenda and cautioning him against following Mahmud’s path. What connection exists? Nigerians are not entirely aware of the threat they are in. Everything is being trivialized by them.
In the meantime, allegations that Professor Joash Amupitan, the recently appointed chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was a member of the legal team that represented President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election tribunal have been rejected by Babatunde Ogala, Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose ten-year term as INEC chief expired on Tuesday, was to be replaced by Amupitan, who was chosen by President Tinubu earlier this week. His candidacy, which is pending Senate approval, was unanimously approved by the Council of State on Thursday.
Amupitan, 58, is a law professor at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and also holds the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
Amupitan was allegedly one of the attorneys who represented Tinubu at the tribunal, according to claims that surfaced shortly after his nomination. However, Ogala, who oversaw Tinubu’s legal staff, called the assertion untrue.
The SAN maintained in a statement released on Friday that Amupitan’s name was never included among the 123 attorneys who represented the president.
“I feel compelled, not as a rejoinder, but in service to truth and public interest, to set the records straight and allay any concerns these malicious fabrications may have caused among well-meaning Nigerians,” the statement says, referring to the former coordinator of that legal team.
For the sake of clarity, Prof. Amupitan SAN never served on the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team’s staff.
Among the more than 123 attorneys who were officially hired for that task, sixty (60) of whom were renowned Senior Advocates of Nigeria, his name is not listed.
“His advice, opinion, or professional assistance was never requested or provided throughout the entire process.
Therefore, I issue a challenge to anyone spreading this myth to provide credible proof to the contrary. To verify the veracity of this claim, any member of the public may really request Certified True Copies of all court filings made on behalf of the president-elect (as he was then).
“Any democracy will inevitably include political discourse, but it is crucial that our participation stays grounded in morality, the truth, and national stability. Falsifying information on purpose to stir up public opinion is counterproductive and only jeopardizes our peace as a nation.
