Amupitan's Neutrality Tested in Osun Governorship Election

Professor Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), visited Osun State last week amid scrutiny regarding his neutrality in the upcoming governorship election. Appointed by President Bola Tinubu, Amupitan faces criticism that his position compromises electoral integrity.

The August 15 election is seen as a critical test of his impartiality. Controversies include allegations of him operating a personal X account sharing pro-APC content, which he denied, and claims by the African Democratic Congress of a voter importation scheme involving voters from APC-controlled states.

In response, Amupitan has stated that INEC has no preferred candidate and is loyal only to the Constitution. He has taken steps to enhance transparency, including commissioning a new INEC Decides Studio for result transmission and inspecting the secure storage for BVAS accreditation machines.

The popularity of the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke of the PDP, adds to the stakes, as any election outcome deviating from polls will be closely scrutinized.