Era of Endless Court Battles Is Over,” Says INEC Chair Amupitan

Abuja— The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has pledged to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral system by tackling what he described as the “culture of excessive pre-election litigations” that has undermined the country’s democratic process for years.

Prof. Amupitan made this declaration while delivering an address at the 56th Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT), held at the University of Abuja on Monday. Speaking before an audience of legal scholars, policymakers, and election observers, the INEC boss said one of his foremost priorities was to “end the courtroom warfare” that often defines Nigeria’s election cycle even before voting begins.

The INEC chairman, who officially assumed office barely a week ago following his swearing-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, lamented that the commission had to grapple with over 1,000 pre-election court cases in the build-up to the 2023 general elections. He described the trend as unhealthy for democracy, warning that it weakens public trust in the electoral system.

“That is not democracy. That is litigation by other means,” Amupitan declared, drawing applause from the audience.

He explained that the key to resolving Nigeria’s electoral crisis lies in ensuring that political parties adhere strictly to their constitutions, respect the provisions of the Electoral Act, and uphold the principles of internal democracy. According to him, many of the pre-election disputes arise from poor candidate selection processes, disregard for party rules, and manipulation of primaries.

“If political parties obey their constitutions, respect the Electoral Act, and align with the Nigerian Constitution, the avalanche of pre-election cases will collapse,” he said. “My goal is simple: to make the law an instrument of change, not chaos. My desire is that when we get the law right, even the losers will be the first to congratulate the winner. That is when we can truly say our democracy has matured.”

Prof. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and distinguished academic, also called on the National Assembly to strengthen the nation’s electoral laws to ensure more credible and transparent elections. He emphasized that the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria depends on the existence of clear, enforceable, and fair legal frameworks that guide political conduct.

He, however, admitted that some lawyers and legal practitioners might not welcome his reform agenda, given that election litigations have become a lucrative area of practice for many. Nonetheless, he stressed that his commitment to restoring public confidence in the electoral process must take precedence over personal or professional interests.

“We cannot continue to allow the courts to determine our elections,” Amupitan stated firmly. “Elections must be won at the polling units, not in the courtroom.”

Political analysts have described Amupitan’s remarks as a bold and timely declaration, noting that if successfully implemented, his reform agenda could mark a major turning point in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. His comments come amid growing calls for electoral integrity and institutional reforms following controversies surrounding past elections in the country.