The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday threw down a pointed challenge to the Senate over the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that Nigerians and the international community are watching how the confirmation will be handled.
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 PDP’s National Publicity Secretary and Secretary of the National Convention Sub-Committee on Media and Publicity, Mr Debo Ologunagba, made the remarks in Abuja shortly after the inaugural meeting of the Venue Sub-Committee for the PDP 2025 Elective National Convention, chaired by Dr Adebayo Lawal, Deputy Governor of Oyo State.
“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,” Ologunagba said.
He noted that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy now rests heavily on the Senate’s integrity, cautioning lawmakers against a hasty or politically motivated confirmation that could deepen public cynicism toward the electoral process.
“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,” he said.
Ologunagba, in a tone reminiscent of PDP’s long history with electoral reforms, warned that another era of ‘technical glitches and inconclusive polls’ could inflame public disillusionment.
“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.