Anambra Governorship Election Will Be First Major Test for New INEC Chairman – Itodo
The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has said that the upcoming Anambra Governorship Election 2025 will serve as the first major test for the newly confirmed INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Itodo noted that while Amupitan’s credentials demonstrate intellect and competence, his real challenge lies in proving his independence and leadership once he assumes office.
“Based on his qualifications, he clearly has the capacity and intellect. But when he gets into office, that’s when the real test begins,” Itodo said. “The Anambra election, which is just a few weeks away, will be his first true test.”
Anambra Election: A Crucial Litmus Test
The Anambra Governorship Election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, will involve over 2.8 million registered voters across 5,720 polling units. Sixteen political parties will participate, with Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) seeking re-election against Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), George Moghalu (Labour Party), and other candidates.
Itodo emphasized that while Amupitan’s screening process reflected integrity and composure, the true measure of his leadership would depend on his ability to deliver credible elections and enforce discipline within the commission.
“To our knowledge, there has been no petition questioning his integrity. That’s a good start,” Itodo said. “However, integrity alone is not enough — he must show courage, fairness, and the will to hold compromised officials accountable.”
INEC Chairman Urged to Assert Independence
The Yiaga Africa director urged Amupitan to demonstrate full independence and ensure that corrupt INEC officials face strict sanctions. He warned that failure to enforce internal discipline could undermine the commission’s credibility.
“INEC isn’t just about the chairman — it includes 12 national commissioners, 37 resident electoral commissioners, and over 700 electoral officers,” Itodo noted. “If they fail to align with the chairman’s vision or allow themselves to be compromised by politicians, we risk going back to square one.”
Amupitan, who was confirmed by the Senate on October 16, 2025, faced over two hours of questioning before his appointment was approved.
‘He’ll Need More Than Integrity’ – Itodo
Itodo stressed that running INEC effectively requires more than personal integrity.
“Having worked on elections for nearly two decades, I can say with confidence that he will need more than just honesty. The bigger challenge lies in dealing with internal saboteurs and political influence,” he said.
He also lamented that the Senate screening session failed to give Nigerians an opportunity to hear Amupitan’s comprehensive vision for electoral reform.
“What Nigerians missed was a moment to hear him outline his roadmap for electoral justice and institutional reform,” Itodo added.
Amupitan Promises to Reform Nigeria’s Electoral Process
During his confirmation, Professor Joash Amupitan pledged to reform Nigeria’s electoral process to ensure transparent, credible, and widely accepted elections. He also vowed to review the Electoral Act to resolve timeline inconsistencies and improve election management nationwide.
Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Amupitan received the endorsement of the National Council of State last week, becoming Nigeria’s sixth substantive INEC Chairman after Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Beyond Anambra, the new INEC boss will oversee several key elections — including the FCT Area Council polls (February 2026), Ekiti Governorship Election (June 2026), Osun Governorship Election (August 2026), and the 2027 General Elections.
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