Africa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu And Why INEC Must Remain Neutral, by Yasir Shehu Adam
Nigeria belongs to all of us — Christians, Muslims, and people of every faith and background. Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. To keep this unity strong, our institutions — especially INEC — must be guided by fairness and justice at all times.
Your Excellency,
I write this open letter as a concerned young Nigerian, deeply committed to the peace, unity, and democratic stability of our beloved country. The purpose of this letter is not political, but patriotic — to call your kind attention to the growing public concern over the credibility and neutrality of the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.
In a nation as religiously and ethnically diverse as Nigeria, the position of INEC Chairman is not just another public office — it is a sacred trust that carries the hopes and confidence of over 200 million citizens. The electoral umpire must be a man of peace, fairness, and integrity beyond question.
However, recent public discussions and reports circulating across various media platforms have raised serious concerns about the impartiality of the new INEC Chairman. While some of these allegations remain unverified, the level of public anxiety they have generated cannot be ignored.
Your Excellency, Nigeria’s democracy is still fragile. Any trace of mistrust in the leadership of INEC can easily threaten the peace and unity of this nation. When citizens lose confidence in the electoral process, they lose faith in democracy itself. This is a dangerous path we must not allow our country to follow.
It is therefore important, Mr. President, that your government conducts an independent review and public clarification on these growing concerns. Nigerians deserve to know that the man leading the electoral commission is truly neutral and devoted to the principles of justice and national harmony.
As a respected elder and leader of this nation, you have a moral duty to protect our democracy from anything that could divide or destabilize it. If any findings show that Professor Amupitan’s appointment threatens national peace or public trust, then it would be wise and patriotic to reconsider his position in the best interest of Nigeria’s unity and democratic credibility.
As Dr. Aliyu Tilde, former Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, rightly noted, “No one who leads INEC should be seen as partial or grossly controversial.” INEC must remain a symbol of trust, not a subject of national suspicion.
Your Excellency, Nigeria belongs to all of us — Christians, Muslims, and people of every faith and background. Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. To keep this unity strong, our institutions — especially INEC — must be guided by fairness and justice at all times.
May Almighty God guide you, Mr. President, to take the right decision that will preserve peace, strengthen democracy, and protect the integrity of Nigeria.
With the highest respect,
Yours sincerely,
Yasir Shehu Adam (Dan Liman)
Young Journalist and Writer from Bauchi
