President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sparked immediate and diverse reactions among Nigerians, particularly across social media.
While some citizens praised the President for selecting a nominee with an “impeccable record of service,” the announcement quickly reignited a national debate over the process of appointing the nation’s chief electoral umpire.
Social Media Reactions: Praise and Constitutional Critique
Reactions online were sharply divided between those who commended the choice and those who criticized the fundamental constitutional power that allows the sitting President to make such a nomination.
Praise for the Nominee and the President:
Many Nigerians congratulated Professor Amupitan and supported the President’s decision, focusing on the nominee’s credentials and integrity:
- Bisi Adeyemi congratulated Amupitan: “Congratulations to Prof Ojo Amupitan for clinching the position of INEC chairman. I commend the President for being able to find such an eminently qualified person in all ramifications to fill the vacant position. Congratulations to Nigerians. It can only get better for Nigeria.”
Critique of the Appointment Process:
A significant portion of the online commentary focused on the constitutional provision that grants the President the sole power to nominate the INEC chairman, arguing it compromises the Commission’s independence:
- Felix wrote, expressing structural concerns: “Everything is wrong in Nigeria, from the constitution down to leadership. A sitting president shouldn’t have the sole power to nominate an electoral body like INEC. Until that constitution is changed, Nigeria can never get leadership right.”
Defenses and Counter-Arguments:
Other users defended the President’s actions by pointing out that the process follows existing law and has been used by previous administrations, suggesting that the current critique is politically motivated:
- Emmanuel Ndiokwere commented, questioning the timing of the debate: “Question: Why did the discourse on the appointment of INEC come up just now? The present Constitution has been in operation since 1999, and no one has found it necessary to amend it until it came to Bola’s turn. Was it Bola that appointed Jakubu when he won in 2023? Please stop the hate.”
- Olabisi Danial tweeted a dismissive message to opposition supporters: “Today, cry go too much for obidant and Atikulate oh because my president your president as nominate INEC chairman the way others past president does it let reform begin.”
The strong social media response highlights the deep public distrust in the electoral process and the widespread desire for constitutional reforms that would ensure the perceived and actual political independence of the electoral body.
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