The Founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has voiced strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Prof. Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Aniebonam made the remarks on Sunday in Lagos amid debates surrounding Amupitan’s appointment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Council of State on 7 October approved Amupitan’s nomination to succeed Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu as INEC Chairman. The appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate.
Aniebonam said the incoming electoral chief faces a crucial task in restoring public trust and credibility to the commission, whose image, he noted, had been “badly battered over the years.”
“The first task for Amupitan is to change the battered image of INEC and return the trust of Nigerians in the umpire,” Aniebonam said.
“He needs to study the commission thoroughly and correct the issues Mahmoud ignored.”
He commended President Tinubu’s decision, saying the nomination reflects his administration’s resolve to strengthen key democratic institutions.
“President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council must have seen Amupitan’s capacity before nominating him. The President is clearly committed to correcting the wrongs in Nigeria, and perhaps this is starting with INEC,” he said.
Aniebonam criticised the previous INEC leadership for what he described as disregard for court orders in the NNPP’s internal leadership dispute, alleging that such actions undermined public confidence in the commission.
“For the immediate past leadership of INEC to ignore subsisting court orders directing the upload of the NNPP’s new national executive was a shocker and very shameful for constitutional democracy,” he stated.
He also claimed that INEC, under its former leadership, had altered the NNPP’s logo and colours without consulting the party’s founding members or verifying its registration documents.
“It is unbelievable that some bad eggs in INEC connived to change the NNPP’s symbols without consent. That means anyone could theoretically change the logo of the APC, PDP, or Labour Party,” he said.
Aniebonam urged Amupitan to prioritise resolving lingering institutional issues and ensure full compliance with judicial rulings once confirmed.
He further pledged the NNPP’s cooperation with the Tinubu administration and expressed optimism that Amupitan would act with integrity and focus.
“The NNPP remains committed to supporting President Tinubu and giving the new INEC leadership maximum support. We pray that Prof. Amupitan will not be distracted in carrying out his duties,” he said.
