INEC Chair, Amupitan acts as APC stooge-Yesuf

Political activist and human rights campaigner Aisha Yesufu has sharply criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, accusing the commission of acting as a “stooge” for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking in an interview on ARISE NEWS, Yesufu said she was shocked by INEC’s handling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis, describing the commission’s actions as brazen and illegitimate.

She questioned Amupitan’s independence, noting that as a legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he should uphold the law rather than appear to favour a political party.

“For INEC to be so brazen and Professor Amupitan to do what he did—it’s unbelievable. Here you have someone who is not just a lawyer, he’s a SAN, he’s a professor. That is someone who you would think would do everything by the letter of the law, coming out to behave in such a rascally manner. It’s shocking that someone who is supposed to be a professor of law would actually do what he had done, she said.

“INEC should remember that there is an independence in the ‘I,’ even though right now they have shown in their actions that the only independence they have is the ‘I’ in its name. He should remember that and stay as an institution and not be a stooge for certain people.

“INEC should be in a position where they are unbiased, they stand as umpire, and not a voice or an arm of APC and invariably Mr. Tinubu,” she warned.

She warned that INEC’s perceived bias undermines public trust in the electoral process and threatens Nigeria’s democratic integrity. Yesufu argued that the commission should act as an impartial umpire, ensuring fair competition rather than serving as an arm of the ruling party.

Yesufu insisted that the removal of ADC leadership appears to be influenced by external pressures and political interests rather than the law.

She accused INEC of obstructing the opposition party, particularly as the 2027 elections approach, saying such actions disenfranchise voters and weaken democratic competition.

The activist urged citizens and institutions to remain vigilant, stressing that democracy depends on a strong opposition and the independence of electoral bodies. (The Sun)