Group Petitions Tinubu, Demands Removal of INEC Chair Over Alleged Ethnic, Religious Bias.

Group Petitions Tinubu, Demands Removal of INEC Chair Over Alleged Ethnic, Religious Bias
The recent appointment of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked a major controversy, as a coalition of citizens has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove him, citing what they describe as “grave threats to national unity, democracy, and electoral integrity.”

In a petition submitted through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the group—operating under the banner Concerned Citizens for Peace, Justice, and Democratic Integrity—warned that Prof. Amupitan’s past writings and alleged biases make him unfit to oversee Nigeria’s electoral process.

According to the petition, Prof. Amupitan authored a controversial legal brief in 2020 titled “Genocide in Nigeria: The Implications for the International Community.” The document, the petitioners allege, contained “inflammatory and divisive claims” accusing certain ethnic and religious groups of orchestrating genocide and pursuing domination.

The petitioners argue that such views reveal a “deep-seated bias” incompatible with the neutrality required of an INEC Chairman. “These writings expose a worldview that cannot guarantee fairness to over 200 million Nigerians of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds,” the petition stated.

The coalition warned that Prof. Amupitan’s appointment has already created fear and suspicion among communities referenced in his writings. They noted that the perception of bias in the leadership of INEC could reignite ethnic tension, heighten religious polarization, and sow distrust ahead of future elections. The petition further stressed, “When citizens doubt the neutrality of the umpire, the entire democratic process collapses. When elections are tainted by fear and bias, democracy dies in spirit.” The group insisted that allowing Prof. Amupitan to remain in office would pose “a clear and present danger to national peace, cohesion, and stability.”

Describing their advocacy as patriotic rather than partisan, the petitioners urged President Tinubu to swiftly replace Prof. Amupitan with a more neutral and credible figure to safeguard the electoral system.

“INEC must be led by someone whose words and conduct embody impartiality, inclusiveness, and national cohesion—not division and distrust,” the statement read. The petitioners argued that Nigeria’s unity is “too precious to be endangered” by leadership weighed down by alleged religious or ethnic prejudice.

We Must Win By Whatever Means Necessary” – Former INEC Boss Exposes Politicians Dangerous Mindset.

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has condemned the desperation of Nigerian politicians to undermine the integrity of the nation’s electoral process.

Speaking in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the joint graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies and the University of Benin, Jega warned that such a “do-or-die” attitude poses a threat to democratic development.

Jega lamented that the politicians’ attitude towards elections has eroded public trust in the Democratic process.

He pointed out that despite 25 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999, Nigeria still struggles with electoral malpractice, violence, and widespread distrust in the electoral system.

He said, “When we see the desperation of these politicians, it is very clear, as former President Obasanjo said, that they engage with elections with a ‘do-or-die’ mentality. We must win by whatever means are necessary.

“No elections are perfect and none are likely to ever be,” he admitted, stressing that electoral integrity “is relative and measured as a continuum from the extreme worst-case scenario to the ideal best-case scenario.”

Jega noted that Nigeria’s political landscape has for decades been tainted by the pursuit of power at all costs, adding that fixing the country’s electoral process would require “continuous concerted efforts”.

“The credibility of elections has a direct correlation with the quality of representation and governance,” he added.

Don’t Rush INEC Appointment, Arise News Director Sumner Sambo Warns Presidency



The Director of News at Arise News, Sumner Sambo, has cautioned the Presidency against rushing the appointment of a new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman following the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Speaking on ‘Prime Time’, a flagship programme on Arise Television, on Tuesday, Sambo advised that the federal government should take time to reflect and implement meaningful institutional reforms before naming Yakubu’s successor.

His comments come just a day after Yakubu officially stepped down and May Agbamuche-Mbu assumed office as the acting INEC chairman.

“The exit of both Mahmood Yakubu and Attahiru Jega as INEC chairmen should serve as a moment of reflection,” Sambo said.
“The presidency should not be in a hurry to appoint a new chairman without ensuring proper institutional reforms are put in place.”


Sambo also dismissed rumors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed Yakubu to step aside, clarifying that the President lacks the constitutional power to unilaterally remove an INEC chairman.

His remarks have since sparked discussions across political circles, with many agreeing that electoral integrity and institutional independence should remain at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic process.