A northern youth alliance has thrown its weight behind the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, dismissing recent demands for his removal as politically motivated attempts to undermine electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The Arewa Youths Alliance for Religious Harmony made this declaration on Saturday during a press conference held at the Arewa House in Kaduna, where it described ongoing campaigns calling for Professor Amupitan’s resignation as actions driven by individuals who are apprehensive about free and credible elections.
The youth organization’s statement comes in response to growing pressure from some Islamic groups, particularly the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which had earlier called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack the INEC chairman over a legal brief he reportedly authored years ago during his academic career.
MURIC had alleged that Professor Amupitan wrote a document to the United States on alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, claiming this undermines his credibility among Muslims and renders him unsuitable to oversee national elections.
However, speaking at the Arewa House, Elder Joseph Chori, Chairman of the Arewa Youths Alliance for Religious Harmony, urged Nigerians to reject what he termed divisive campaigns aimed at politicizing an academic opinion expressed years ago.
“The North is currently facing serious challenges that require unity. It is disheartening to witness elements within our fold spearheading a campaign that is needlessly divisive. We must not allow personal grievances to be clothed in ethnic or religious sentiments,” Elder Chori stated.
The youth leader emphasized that rather than targeting the INEC chairman, Nigerians should be focused on strengthening institutions that uphold electoral integrity, particularly as the nation prepares for the crucial 2027 general elections.
The alliance specifically commended Professor Amupitan and his team for what it described as the credible and transparent conduct of the recently concluded Anambra State governorship election. The poll, which was won by Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), saw the opposition party retain power despite the presence of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The outcome has boosted the morale of opposition parties and dispelled fears that Nigeria was drifting into a one-party system,” Elder Chori noted, adding that the result demonstrated INEC’s capacity to conduct competitive elections without interference.
The group argued that removing Professor Amupitan after overseeing an election widely regarded as free and fair would be counterproductive and contrary to the principles of justice. They warned that such action would send the wrong message and undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Co-Chairman of the alliance, Comrade Abbas Mohammed Aminu, reinforced the position of northern youths, stating that the majority of the northern population stands firmly behind the INEC chairman. He dismissed the calls for Professor Amupitan’s removal as representing only a marginal viewpoint.
“The majority of our people stand with him. The calls for his removal are coming from those afraid of free, fair and credible elections. These few voices do not speak for the majority of our people,” Comrade Aminu declared.
He assured Professor Amupitan of continued support and cooperation from northern youths as he works to deliver credible elections in 2027, urging politicians and interest groups to refrain from stoking religious tensions in the region.
The Arewa Youths Alliance for Religious Harmony called on northern leaders, civil society organizations, and Nigerians across political divides to rally behind INEC to ensure the commission remains independent and undistracted in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
The controversy surrounding Professor Amupitan’s appointment stems from a legal brief he authored while serving as a lecturer at the University of Jos, Plateau State, in which he reportedly discussed crimes under international law in Nigeria and questioned why authorities had not used the term ‘genocide’ in describing certain violence in the country.
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) had also urged President Tinubu to review the appointment, describing the alleged content as divisive.
However, supporters of the INEC chairman argue that the document was written during his academic career and has no bearing on his current responsibilities as the head of Nigeria’s electoral body. They maintain that his recent performance, particularly in the Anambra election, demonstrates his commitment to fairness and transparency.
Professor Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and has spent more than three decades in academia and legal practice. He is the first native of Kogi State to head Nigeria’s election management agency.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the debate over Professor Amupitan’s leadership of INEC highlights the delicate balance between maintaining religious harmony and ensuring electoral credibility in Africa’s most populous democracy.