The new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, says God sent him to fix Nigeria’s elections. And somehow, we are all supposed to believe that APC’s new apostle was chosen by heaven, not by the familiar hands that have been pulling political strings.
A Divine Appointment or a Political Strategy?
APC’s new apostle wasted no time declaring his appointment as “divine.” According to him, God personally handed him the task to restore credibility to the country’s broken electoral system. Beautiful speech, no doubt. But when the same political circle that benefits from Nigeria’s questionable elections starts picking its “referees,” the sermon starts to sound suspicious.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t just pick an academic, he picked a friend. Amupitan’s close ties to Tinubu are no secret. And it’s funny how God’s voice always seems to echo from Bourdillon when political appointments are involved. How divine is an appointment that looks this familiar? How spiritual is a system where political loyalty passes for divine calling?
Promises, Speeches, and the Same Old Script
In his first address, the new INEC boss promised to restore confidence in elections, stressing teamwork, integrity, and transparency. Those were the same words his predecessors used before being swallowed by political pressure and backdoor dealings. Nigerians have heard all these lines before, “free, fair, and credible elections.” It’s the political equivalent of a bedtime story, soothing but never true.
APC’s new apostle said his mission was to make every vote count. It’s touching, really. But how do we trust that mission when it’s the same APC that has been snatching governors, lawmakers, and opposition members from other parties? If Amupitan’s “divine mission” is anything like the ruling party’s recent actions, then 2027 might be less about elections and more about coronation.
The Tinubu Connection No One Wants to Talk About
APC has a way of turning everything into a family affair. From cabinet members to parastatals, the circle is tight and predictable. Amupitan’s friendship with Tinubu goes back years. And now, the same Tinubu who benefited from INEC’s “technical glitches” in 2023 has sworn in his old friend to oversee the next one. Nigeria doesn’t need prophets to predict how that will play out.
If this is APC’s idea of reforming the electoral system, then we are deceiving ourselves.
The “Anambra Test”
The new chairman mentioned the upcoming Anambra governorship election as his first big test. According to him, it will prove INEC’s renewed credibility. Nigerians will be watching closely, not because we expect miracles, but because we’ve seen this movie before. Every new chairman starts with righteous speeches, then ends up justifying one rigged election after another.
If the APC’s new apostle wants to convince anyone, he’ll have to do more than quote God. Nigerians want action, working BVAS machines, transparent collation, and results that match reality. Anything less will only confirm what many already suspect: that this divine appointment was a political strategy.
APC’s Expanding Kingdom
The timing of this appointment is also suspicious. APC has been on a recruitment spree, pulling members from PDP, LP, and even fringe parties like fishermen. Every defection seems well-calculated, every appointment strategic. And now, with a “God-sent” INEC chairman in the mix, the path to 2027 looks suspiciously paved.
