“Credibility is a fragile thing. It takes years to build, but only seconds to lose.” — Unknown.
When Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, stepped into the State House, Abuja, for his official swearing-in as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), many Nigerians held their breath with cautious optimism. Here was a man of impeccable pedigree — a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a respected law teacher, and a tested administrator. Expectations were high that his appointment might restore the battered integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Yet, his very first public appearance sent the wrong signal. Draped in a flowing, elaborate Agbada — the trademark attire of Nigeria’s political elite — the new INEC boss seemed to blur the line between the regulator and the ruled. It was more than a fashion choice; it was a symbolic stumble.
For a man whose first task is to convince Nigerians that he will rise above political influence, the optics of that appearance mattered deeply. In Nigeria’s hyper-visual political culture, where perception often outweighs performance, every image tells a story. And this one told the wrong story — of familiarity, of comfort within the corridors of power, not of the impartiality that democracy demands.
A Heavy Burden of Expectation
Prof. Amupitan’s confirmation by the Senate and subsequent swearing-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 25, 2025, at the State House, Abuja, marked the beginning of what could be the toughest assignment of his life. President Tinubu, during the ceremony, charged him to “protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process” — a statement that underscores both the importance and the fragility of the institution he now leads.
But Nigeria’s political history teaches that every INEC Chairman walks into a minefield. Since his nomination, Prof. Amupitan has been showered with congratulations and goodwill messages from across the country. Yet behind those smiles may lurk traps — subtle inducements, “friendly” offers, and tempting compromises designed to ensnare his conscience.
It is said that when the devil cannot destroy a man’s dream, he offers him comfort. The kind of comfort that ruins the very purpose of his mission.
A Lesson from His Predecessor
History provides a warning. Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Amupitan’s immediate predecessor, also came from the ivory tower — intelligent, articulate, and confident. Nigerians trusted him when he promised credible elections through technology. Under him, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were introduced to ensure transparency.
But in practice, the 2023 general elections became one of the most controversial in the nation’s history. The real-time transmission of results — the very heart of IReV — collapsed. Accusations of manipulation, logistical sabotage, and selective transparency trailed the process. The once-celebrated professor ended his tenure amid public distrust and allegations of bias.
He too loved his Agbada, walking shoulder to shoulder with political heavyweights, giving long lectures about electoral integrity while presiding over one of Nigeria’s most contentious polls. The lesson is clear: the hood doesn’t make the monk — but sometimes, the wrong hood can make the monk lose his discipline in the marketplace.
Integrity, Not Intellect, Will Define Him
Prof. Amupitan’s qualifications are impeccable — his intellect unquestionable. But the office he now occupies demands something greater than brilliance; it demands moral courage. INEC has broken many men who walked in with good intentions but were swallowed by power politics.
He must decide early whether to be remembered as the man who reclaimed Nigeria’s faith in democracy or the one who merely extended its decline. His loyalty must lie with the Constitution, not with the President who appointed him. The true measure of his success will not be the smoothness of his relationship with the ruling class, but the confidence ordinary Nigerians have in the votes they cast.
The Symbolism of Simplicity
Every public action now matters. Even the clothes he wears will send messages about the kind of leadership he intends to offer. Nigerians are tired of seeing electoral umpires look like politicians. The optics of humility matter — not because appearance defines character, but because symbols shape perception.
Simplicity from the nation’s electoral chief would have sent a powerful signal: that he stands apart from those he is meant to regulate. Instead, that first impression reminded Nigerians of how easily power seduces even the most educated.
However, redemption remains possible. What matters most is how Prof. Amupitan conducts himself from here. He must distance INEC from the shadows of corruption, build public trust through openness, and insist on institutional independence, no matter whose ox is gored.
The Road Ahead
The road ahead is steep. INEC remains one of Nigeria’s most criticized public institutions. Confidence has been eroded, and young Nigerians now regard elections as predictable rituals rather than genuine contests of ideas. Restoring faith in the process will require more than rhetoric.
Prof. Amupitan must begin by reforming internal systems — auditing INEC’s operational lapses, securing its digital infrastructure, and prioritizing transparency over convenience. He must communicate consistently with Nigerians, not just through press statements, but through actions that prove the era of electoral manipulation is truly over.
A Final Word
Dear Professor, Nigerians are watching. You have walked into the most turbulent job in the country, one capable of wrecking or redefining all you have achieved. Your first public appearance may have sent mixed signals, but your journey has only just begun.
Power tempts. Favors seduce. But integrity endures. Your academic robes once symbolized enlightenment; now they must symbolize moral strength. The country does not need another professor of politics — it needs a professor of truth.
Because, in the end, history will not remember your Agbada — only your actions.
