News Investigators/ The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has advised the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to prioritise true national interest and work for democratic consolidation.
The acting National Chairman of SDP, Sadìq Gombe made the call in a statement signed by the party National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, on Friday in Abuja.
Mr Gombe said that going by the nationwide excitement on Amupitan’s appointment and commendations of being the right choice by the president, the SDP hoped he would give Nigerians real joy in practical terms.
He said that the party looked forward to Amupitan prioritising the true interests of Nigeria and working for democratic consolidation, particularly in the next off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states.
He said that the three state elections would serve as litmus tests for his capacity, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Gombe said that with the impressive background, acclaimed pedigree, integrity and competence of Amupitan attested to by Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi at the Council of State meeting, the SDP was hopeful that it would translate the prevailing national excitement to concrete fulfillment.
He expressed hope that Amupitan would discharge his duty with impeccable integrity and honour and would build on the notable reforms that were initiated by his predecessors.
“It is hoped that the new chairman will give rule of law a pride of place, respect the sovereignty of political parties and the commission will not be meddlesome in their internal affairs under his watch.
“We expect he will engender positive spirit by boosting staff morale, improve the negative public rejecting of the commission and increase its credibility,” he said.
Mr Gombe said that the party expected Amupitan to do that by innovating and benchmarking international best practices, thereby bringing sustainable transformation to INEC for the good of Nigeria.
While commending the immediate past Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for doing the best he could, Gombe said that the SDP looked forward to Amupitan, to truly be a renewal of hope and usher in a refreshing experience for Nigerians and Nigeria.
“The SDP enjoins the political class, civil society and all Nigerians to support the new INEC chairman to succeed on this strategic national assignment,” he said.
Mr Gombe, while congratulating Amupitan, said that the party looked forward to working with him and supporting him to move Nigeria’s democracy forward.
He, however, said that the SDP would not relent in its characteristic resilience in standing strong to challenge any form of manifest anti-democracy tendencies.
NAN
