Residents of Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State have called on critics demanding the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, to desist and allow him to focus on his duties.
The appeal came as over 1,000 sons and daughters of the community, largely youths, staged a solidarity rally in support of the INEC chairman, describing him as a man of integrity and national value.
The demonstrators marched through parts of the community carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Campaign of Calumny Against Our Son,” “Thank You Mr. President for the Choice of Professor Joash Amupitan,” and “Stop Trying to Pull Him Down.”
Speaking on behalf of the community, the National President of the Ayetoro Gbede Development Association (AGDA), Mr. Samuel Olorunmaiye, highlighted Amupitan’s academic and administrative record, noting his long years of service in the University of Jos.
He said Amupitan previously served as Head of Department of Public Law, later became Dean of the Faculty of Law, and was subsequently appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration).
“Prof. Amupitan is a man of value, and we value him. I want to tell Nigerians to allow him to do his job, and by the grace of God, we know he is going to succeed,” he said.
Olorunmaiye urged the INEC chairman to remain focused and committed to delivering credible elections in 2027, insisting that allegations of partisanship against him were baseless.
Also speaking, Youth Leader Elijah Babatunde said the community, both at home and in the diaspora, stood firmly behind the INEC boss, urging him not to be distracted by what he described as politically motivated attacks.
He maintained that similar calls for the removal of past electoral chiefs had occurred in previous administrations, adding that such pressure tactics should not derail Amupitan’s mandate.
According to him, “Linking the INEC chairman to a political party is politically motivated to distract him from performing his official assignment.”
Babatunde further described Amupitan as a neutral and principled professional appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to uphold constitutional responsibilities and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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