The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has said he accepted the responsibility of leading Nigeria’s electoral body only after receiving what he described as a clear divine conviction.
Amupitan made the remark in Abuja during an end-of-tenure thanksgiving service organised by the Nigerian Baptist Convention in honour of its outgoing president, Israel Akanji, and his wife, Victoria.
According to him, he would have declined the appointment if he did not feel spiritually assured about taking on the role.
“If I did not have the conviction for this job, I would not accept it,” he said, adding that he drew strength from what he described as a clear message from God before assuming office.
“The Lord said, ‘Fear not; do not be dismayed. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you.’ I heard this clearly before I accepted this job,” he stated.
Amupitan noted that this conviction has remained his anchor while navigating the challenges of overseeing elections in a complex democratic environment. He expressed confidence that divine guidance has continued to sustain him through difficult moments.
“No matter the storm, no matter the difficulty, God is able to calm every storm,” he said.
He also called on Nigerians to support the electoral body with prayers ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that the polls could set a new standard.
“Continue to pray for Nigeria and for us… that the 2027 election will be the best ever,” he said.
Reflecting on public service, Amupitan cautioned against taking on responsibilities without a clear sense of purpose, stressing that leadership should be guided by conviction.
“If God does not send you somewhere, do not go there,” he added.
Amupitan, who was appointed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2025 to succeed Mahmood Yakubu, has faced scrutiny in recent months over allegations of partisanship.
The controversy followed resurfaced social media posts allegedly linked to him, which critics claim showed support for the ruling party during the 2023 elections. However, the INEC chairman has denied operating the account in question and maintained that he remains politically neutral.
Despite the criticism, the commission has defended its leadership, describing the allegations as attempts to undermine public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle.
