Lawyers’ Revolt: Over 1,000 Legal Voices Demand Senate Block Amupitan’s INEC Nomination
In a bold and coordinated move that is sending ripples through Nigeria’s political and judicial corridors, more than 1,000 lawyers—organized under the banner of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP)—have formally petitioned the Senate to disqualify Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN from being confirmed as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This dramatic development underscores rising tension around the nomination and the urgent demand by key legal stakeholders for transparency, impartiality, and strict adherence to constitutional standards in electoral oversight.
🚨 What the Petition Says: Conflict, Bias & Precedents
Dated October 10, 2025, the letter—addressed to Senator Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters—argues that Prof. Amupitan is constitutionally and ethically unfit for the INEC chairmanship. The coalition cites his prior role as Lead Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court as proof of bias, conflict of interest, and violation of professional codes.
ALDRAP states:
The nomination gives rise to clear conflicts between personal interest and public duty, contravening the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (1991).
It violates Section 19 of the ICPC Act (2003), which bars leveraging past roles for undue advantage.
The precedent set in 2021, when the Senate rejected Lauretta Onochie due to her APC affiliations, should not be ignored.
If the Senate proceeds, ALDRAP will seek legal redress via court action to compel compliance.
Copies of the petition were forwarded not only to Senate authorities but also to the President, SGF, DSS, IG Police, and diplomatic missions including the EU, US, and UK—a clear signal of the group’s intent and global outreach.
Political and Institutional Reactions
The petition has reignited public debate over the independence of electoral institutions, especially in the run-up to 2027 polls.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautioned the Senate not to “rush” through Amupitan’s confirmation and reminded legislators that the credibility of democracy hinges on the transparency of this process.
Some civil society organisations, observers, and legal watchers have framed ALDRAP’s intervention as a litmus test for whether the Senate can uphold checks and balances over executive nominations.
Conversely, there are also voices within the ruling alliance and Mr. Amupitan’s supporters who believe the Senate should affirm the nomination—to ensure that INEC has leadership in place ahead of critical elections.
The Stakes Are High — Why This Matters
1. Electoral credibility: Any perception of partisanship in INEC’s chairmanship could further erode public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system, especially after controversies surrounding the 2023 elections.
2. Judicial and constitutional scrutiny: If ALDRAP goes to court and wins, it sets precedent for valid challenges to nominations seen as politically compromised. This could affect future appointments nationwide.
3. Senate’s institutional dignity: The Upper Chamber is now under intense scrutiny—will it stand as a serious arbiter of constitutional fitness, or will it be perceived as a rubber-stamp?
4. Political optics for 2027: Control of Nigeria’s electoral machinery is a strategic battlefront. The confirmation or failure of Amupitan could ripple across party strategies, alliances, and public sentiment.
⚖️ Legal Observers Weigh In: Barriers & Parallels
Legal scholars argue that consistent application of disqualification principles is essential. If the Senate rejected Onochie in 2021 for APC affiliation, logic demands they consider Amupitan’s case similarly.
However, some analysts note potential pushback: Amupitan’s supporters may argue that his prior legal representation of a political party does not automatically disqualify him if he can convincingly renounce partisan ties and commit to neutrality.
Moving Forward: What to Watch
Will the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters schedule a confirmation hearing — or decline to act until constitutional issues are resolved?
Will ALDRAP proceed with litigation if the Senate ignores their petition?
How will civil society, media, and citizens mobilize around this controversy?
Could the Supreme Court be drawn into resolving a constitutional showdown between the executive’s prerogative and checks on nominations?
Final Word: A Decision with Legacy
This is no ordinary confirmation fight. Over 1,000 legal professionals mobilizing to challenge a nomination reflects broad concern over institutional integrity, not mere partisanship. The Senate, in its handling of this matter, will either reaffirm the primacy of constitutional norms — or confirm fears that appointments can be engineered without accountability.
For the legal community, democracy advocates, and ordinary citizens alike, this saga could redefine how much weight appointments to critical democratic institutions will carry—not just in 2025, but in every election ahead.
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