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<p>By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa</p><div class="ojRwY6B0" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room has expressed deep concern over the process leading to the confirmation of the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.</p>
<p>The Situation Room, which comprises over 70 election observer groups, described the confirmation as rushed, opaque, and lacking in public scrutiny.</p>
<p>In a statement on Friday by its Convener, Yunusa Ya’u, and Co-Conveners, Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju, said the Senate failed to conduct a transparent and consultative screening that would ensure the credibility and independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.</p><div class="2FGFM4ND" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>“The appointment of an INEC Chairman is not a routine administrative action but a decision that profoundly affects the credibility, independence, and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. “Unfortunately, the recent confirmation process once again reflects a troubling pattern of opacity, limited consultation, and inadequate scrutiny in appointments to key democratic institutions,&#8221; said the group.</p>
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<p>According to the coalition, the screening exercise that took place in the Senate was “perfunctory and rushed,” with insufficient time for legislators, civil society, and the public to properly evaluate the nominee’s competence, integrity, and impartiality.</p>
<p>“The Senate’s screening, which should have provided a meaningful platform to assess the nominee’s competence, integrity, and impartiality, was perfunctory and rushed. There was insufficient time for citizens, stakeholders, and even Senators themselves to obtain independent information about the nominee or engage constructively with the process, ” the group said.</p>
<p>The Situation Room warned that such actions could deepen public distrust in electoral institutions and jeopardise confidence in future elections. It reiterated its long-standing position that the appointment and confirmation of the INEC Chairman should be open, merit-based, and insulated from political influence.</p>
<p>“By failing to ensure transparency and robust public participation, the Senate has fallen short of its constitutional duty of oversight. “This hasty confirmation deepens public distrust and reinforces concerns that political expediency continues to override national interest in the selection of leadership for the country’s foremost electoral body, ” the statement read.</p>
<p>On Thursday, during the session where Prof. Joash Amupitan was confirmed, some senators alleged that several professors who had previously served as returning officers failed integrity checks and asked whether Amupitan would discontinue their engagement in future elections.</p>
<p>In response, Amupitan said he could not make an immediate decision on the issue but assured that he would review it after assuming office.</p>
<p>Recall that, on the 9th of October, 2025, the Council of State unanimously approved the nomination of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new Chief Umpire for the Nigerian elections.</p>
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