The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has pledged to safeguard the integrity of the ballot during elections across Nigeria.
He made this known when a high-powered delegation of the Okun Development Association (ODA), the umbrella socio-cultural body of the Okun-Yoruba people of Kogi State, paid him a solidarity visit at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
He expressed gratitude to his kinsmen for the visit, noting that the presence of the Commission’s National Commissioners, Secretary and senior staff underscored its significance.
He described the INEC chairmanship as a weighty national assignment aimed at deepening Nigeria’s democracy, while thanking President Tinubu for the honour and God for the privilege of serving.
He urged the Okun people to continue mobilising their communities for active participation in elections, and pledged that “elections would count” under his watch.
He thanked the ODA and Okun nation in general for their steadfast belief in his capacity. He noted that notwithstanding the weight of duty, enormity of the task, demand, and responsibility of the job which has the overarching goal and mandate to deepen democracy at a most critical and challenging period for the nation, his heart remained very much connected to his roots, and that the wise counsel and prayers of his kinsmen and women are his greatest treasure.
The delegation was led by the ODA President-General and pioneer Nigerian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Akenson Rotimi, and included the association’s top hierarchy: Deputy President-General (North) Alhaji Ibrahim Adoga, National Secretary Elder Micheal Oluwadare Owonuwa, Elders Council Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, National Social Secretary Dr. Ayo Moses, National Treasurer Prince Dayo Akanmode, and liaison officers Hon. Bolanle Amupitan and Mr Toyin George. Prominent Okun elder statesmen, including Dr. David Oluwayomi Atte, Barrister Shola Ojo, Chief JO Yusuf and Barrister Deji Aina, were also present.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Ambassador Rotimi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding Prof. Amupitan worthy of the appointment, describing him as a man whose career reflects the Omoluabi values of the Okun people. He assured the Chairman of his people’s confidence in his ability to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Emphasizing the impeccable character and commitment to professionalism and ethical discipline of the Chairman, the President-General expressed the goodwill of all the Okun people in Nigeria and in diaspora to him, and the confidence of our people in his undoubted capacity to make Okun very proud and Nigeria in general on the job, by admirably delivering enduring sustainable transformation to the Commision and in restoring the trust of Nigerians in our electoral processes and the integrity of the Commission as a critical national institution of immense importance.
He also remarked that the esteemed Chairman had, long before this new national assignment, made notable contributions to the community’s developmental efforts of the association by yielding his resources and expertise to the promotion of the mandate of the association and the general cause and advancement of the Okun homeland and the people.
The delegation rounded off the visit with prayers for divine guidance for Prof. Amupitan as he settles into the role and pursues his reform agenda at the electoral umpire.
In a closed-door session, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba commended the Chairman for improving staff welfare and work conditions at the Commission within a short time in office, noting the visible boost in morale among personnel.
News Credit to our media partner The Kogi Reports .
