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Why National Interest Must Prevail: A Case for Professor Joash Amupitan SAN
_By Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola_
First African Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management, Global Education Advocate, Chartered Manager, UK Digital Journalist, Strategic Advisor & Prophetic Mobiliser for National Transformation, and General Evangelist of CAC Nigeria and Overseas
Why National Interest Must Prevail
I, Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, came out strongly in defence of professionalism and national interest when Mallam Isa Ali Pantami, CON, then Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, was heavily challenged.
At that time, I argued emphatically that Pantami must be allowed to continue the good work he was doing in his ministry, despite the storm surrounding him.
My position was clear: the national interest must always outweigh political expediency. Pantami’s recognition as a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was not merely ceremonial; it was a testament to his contribution to Nigeria’s digital transformation. His reforms in broadband penetration, digital identity, and ICT innovation were too critical to be derailed by political storms.
It is important to recall that I was the first individual to come out publicly in support of the Muslim–Muslim ticket during the 2023 general elections.
At that time, many voices were hesitant, and the political climate was charged with controversy. Yet I stood firmly on the principle that national interest and professionalism must always prevail over sentiment.
My intervention was not about religious identity but about the imperative of stability, competence, and continuity in governance. That position, though initially contested, later gained traction and demonstrated that when arguments are grounded in reason and national interest, they can shape the course of public debate.
In the same spirit, my defence of Professor Joash Amupitan SAN today is consistent with my long‑standing commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s institutions from unnecessary disruption.
Today, I write in a similar manner to affirm that Professor Joash Amupitan SAN, the current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), must be afforded the right and peaceful working environment to discharge his duties.
Nigeria’s democracy is fragile, and its institutions require stability rather than disruption. INEC, as the custodian of electoral integrity, cannot afford to be weakened by incessant calls for the removal of its leadership.
The chairman’s independence is constitutionally protected to ensure that the commission remains impartial and credible. To politicise his position is to undermine the very foundation of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Nigeria’s ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act 2025 makes it even more urgent to defend the independence of INEC and its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan SAN. With reforms such as mandatory electronic transmission of results and tougher sanctions against vote‑buying, the credibility of elections depends on continuity and stability at the helm of INEC. Just as Mallam Isa Ali Pantami, CON, was defended in the national interest during his storm, Amupitan must be afforded the peaceful environment to implement these reforms.
Context of Current Debate
The calls for Professor Amupitan’s removal must be understood within the broader context of Nigeria’s political climate. Elections are contentious, and INEC often finds itself at the centre of controversy. Yet the credibility of the electoral process depends on the commission’s ability to operate independently, free from political interference. If every wave of criticism were to result in leadership changes, INEC would become a pawn in political struggles rather than a guardian of democracy.
Nigeria’s democratic journey has been marked by both progress and setbacks.
Electoral malpractice, institutional distrust, and political interference have long plagued the system. Yet reforms have been introduced, and INEC has gradually built credibility through innovations such as biometric voter registration and electronic transmission of results. These reforms require continuity to succeed. Constant leadership changes derail progress and erode public confidence.
The current amendment of the Electoral Act is a watershed moment. It proposes mandatory electronic transmission of results, stricter sanctions against vote‑buying, and earlier release of election funds to strengthen INEC’s operational independence.
These reforms are transformative, but they require steady leadership to be implemented effectively. Professor Amupitan’s stewardship is therefore indispensable at this critical juncture.
Professor Amupitan’s past writings, whatever their content, are part of his intellectual legacy. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a respected legal scholar, his contributions to national discourse must be seen as intellectual interventions, not liabilities. Academic debate is the lifeblood of democracy. To weaponise his writings against him is to misunderstand the role of scholarship in national development. His erudition strengthens INEC’s constitutional grounding, and his arguments must be understood as part of Nigeria’s ongoing debate about governance, law, and democracy.
Why Amupitan Should Be Allowed to Work Peacefully
Professor Amupitan’s legal expertise is beyond question.
His status as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and his academic background equip him to navigate Nigeria’s complex electoral laws with precision. His stewardship of INEC promises to be grounded in constitutional fidelity and legal rigour. To deny him the peaceful environment necessary to discharge his duties would be to weaken the institution he leads.
Continuity of reforms is another critical consideration. Electoral credibility requires long‑term reforms, not constant leadership changes. Each chairman brings a vision, and reforms take time to mature. Constant disruptions derail progress and erode public confidence.
Allowing Professor Amupitan to work peacefully ensures that reforms can be implemented consistently, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
National cohesion also demands that we protect the independence of INEC.
Allowing the chairman to work without harassment sends a message that Nigeria values professionalism over political expediency. It reassures citizens that institutions are not at the mercy of political storms, but are guided by law and professionalism. This is essential for building trust in democracy.
Key Comparison: Pantami CON vs. Amupitan SAN
The case of Mallam Isa Ali Pantami, CON, provides a useful precedent. Pantami faced allegations tied to past statements, yet he was defended on the grounds of national interest and professionalism. His ministry’s progress was prioritised over political storms, and he was allowed to continue his work. His recognition as Commander of the Order of the Niger underscored the value of his contributions to Nigeria’s digital economy.
The same principle applies to Professor Joash Amupitan SAN.
His past writings, whatever their content, are part of his intellectual legacy. They must be understood as contributions to national debate, not as grounds for removal. Pantami’s case demonstrated that Nigeria could rise above political storms in the interest of progress.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s democracy thrives when institutions are shielded from political storms. Professor Joash Amupitan SAN must be afforded the peaceful environment necessary to discharge his duties as INEC Chairman. His past writings are part of his intellectual legacy, not grounds for removal. Just as Pantami, CON, was defended in the national interest, so too must Amupitan be protected to ensure electoral integrity and national cohesion.
With the Electoral Act 2025 amendment in sight, Nigeria must prioritise stability, professionalism, and continuity. INEC’s credibility depends on the independence of its leadership. To politicise its chairman is to weaken democracy itself. Nigeria must rise above political storms and defend its institutions. Professor Amupitan deserves the space to work peacefully, and the nation deserves the stability that his leadership can provide.