A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to stand firm against intimidation and pressure from opposition politicians.
Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), issued the warning whilst addressing journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The former lawmaker urged Prof. Amupitan to demonstrate exceptional courage and integrity when discharging his constitutional responsibilities, particularly as the nation prepares for off-cycle and general elections.
He cautioned the INEC chairman against allowing opposition politicians to blackmail the Commission into discrediting legitimate electoral processes.
“All eyes are on the new INEC boss, and I want to advise him to stay focused and resist all forms of pressure that could undermine the integrity of the Commission,” Oyintiloye stated.
He emphasised that the electoral umpire must operate strictly within established rules and regulations to avoid making errors under political pressure.
“Amupitan must ignore all forms of negative criticism and ensure he abides by the laid-down rules and regulations for the conduct of free and fair elections in the country,” he added.
The APC chieftain warned that politicians who lost previous elections would continue attempts to undermine the Commission’s efforts at conducting credible polls for their personal gain.
“Those who lost elections will continue to undermine the efforts of the Commission towards conducting credible elections in the country for their own personal gain, but the INEC boss must fear no one. He must apply the rules without favour,” Oyintiloye said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Prof. Amupitan to lead the electoral body, describing the choice as well-considered.
According to Oyintiloye, the appointment demonstrates that Prof. Amupitan possesses the integrity, honour, and capacity required to sanitise Nigeria’s electoral process.
The party chieftain identified the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November and the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states as critical tests for the new INEC chairman.
Whilst congratulating Prof. Amupitan on his appointment, Oyintiloye reiterated that Nigerians expect him to protect and uphold the integrity of the electoral Commission.
