New INEC Chair Warns Politicians: Election Must Be Won on Polling Units, Not Courtrooms — Why This Statement Matters
At a major law conference in Abuja, newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, delivers a bold warning to politicians, insisting that Nigeria’s elections must be decided by voters — not by judges.
By Headlineswave.ng
Nigeria’s new electoral chief, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, has sent a powerful warning to political actors across the country: “Elections must be won on polling units, not in courtrooms.”
Amupitan made the statement on Monday, October 27, 2025, while speaking at the 56th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) held at the University of Abuja.
The remark has since gone viral, drawing nationwide attention and igniting discussions on how to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process.
Amupitan’s Message — A Wake-up Call to Politicians
In his speech, the INEC boss vowed to end the era of endless election petitions, stressing that true democracy begins and ends at the ballot box.
“The ballot box must be the final court of appeal,” Amupitan said, adding that Nigeria cannot continue to let courts determine who wins elections instead of the people’s votes.
Political observers describe the comment as one of the strongest reform signals yet from the new INEC leadership, barely weeks after Amupitan assumed office.
Why This Statement Matters
For decades, Nigeria’s electoral system has been marred by courtroom battles, where losing candidates turn to tribunals to challenge results.
Experts say Amupitan’s warning carries weight because it:
- Challenges politicians to prioritize campaigning and mobilizing voters rather than preparing legal petitions.
- Reaffirms INEC’s commitment to credible and transparent polls.
- Encourages voter trust, signaling that their votes — not court rulings — should decide outcomes.
- Reduces judicial burden and post-election crises that delay governance and fuel tension.
If Amupitan’s vision is enforced, Nigeria could finally move closer to an electoral culture where polling unit results are decisive and the courts serve only as arbiters of last resort.
Public Reaction
Following his statement, Nigerians took to X (formerly Twitter) to applaud the INEC chairman’s courage. Many described his words as “long overdue” and “the right message at the right time.”
However, some citizens remain skeptical, noting that the real test will come during upcoming off-cycle elections, where INEC’s neutrality and technology deployment will be closely watched.
What Comes Next
Sources within the commission hint that Prof. Amupitan is preparing to unveil a comprehensive reform agenda, including:
- Enhanced training for polling officials to prevent irregularities.
- Real-time electronic transmission of results to curb manipulation.
- Tighter monitoring and sanctions for electoral misconduct.
- Closer collaboration with civil society groups to ensure transparency at every stage
Professor Amupitan’s statement has set the tone for what could become a new era in Nigeria’s democracy — one where politicians focus less on courtroom strategies and more on earning the people’s mandate.
As Nigeria prepares for future elections, all eyes are now on INEC to see whether Amupitan’s bold declaration will become a turning point or another unfulfilled promise
