Ijumu Leaders Defend INEC Chairman Amupitan, Reject Calls for His Resignation
Lokoja, April 20, 2026
The Ijumu Development Union has thrown its weight behind the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, describing calls for his resignation as the work of “mischief makers and enemies of democracy.”
Speaking at a press briefing in Lokoja on Sunday, National President of the IDU, Ahmed-Ade Fatai, said the entire Ijumu Kingdom stands united “not in bitterness, but in bold defense of excellence, integrity, and the future of our democracy.”
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Fatai stated that Prof. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, “has not committed any sin and cannot be the sacrificial lamb of any political party or groups who are only interested in their selfish agenda.”
“Professor Amupitan was not appointed to represent any ethnic interest; he was appointed to serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria — to safeguard the ballot, protect every vote, and strengthen the trust of over 200 million Nigerians in the democratic process,” Fatai said.
He stressed that competence should not be punished because of origin, noting: “For us to be a minority is not a crime. The only crime would be to punish competence because of where a man comes from.”
The IDU called on the Presidency, the National Assembly, and all Nigerians to allow the INEC Chairman to remain focused on his assignment. “Nigeria does not need another distraction at the helm of INEC. What we need is stability, continuity, and a Chairman who is allowed to finish the job he was given — organizing credible, free and fair elections,” Fatai added.
He maintained that the Union was not seeking favours but fairness. “We are not asking for protection. We are asking for performance to be judged on its own merit.”
Fatai also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his confidence in the INEC Chairman. “We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for having faith in the capacity of the INEC Chairman, and we are bold to say he will not disappoint this trust by conducting the freest, most credible and transparent election in the history of our nation,” he said.
The press briefing ended with a rallying call to the people of Okun: “Let Merit Speak, Let Our Son Work.”
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, APRIL 20TH 2026)
