A coalition of more than 1,000 lawyers under the banner of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has petitioned the Senate to reject the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a letter dated October 10, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), the lawyers argued that Prof. Amupitan is unfit for the position because of his previous role as Lead Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court.
According to ALDRAP, Amupitan’s political ties and past professional engagements pose a clear risk of bias, conflict of interest, and breach of statutory ethical standards.
Signed by the association’s Administrative Secretary, Jesse Williams Amuga, the letter urged the Senate not to proceed with Amupitan’s confirmation hearing, but instead notify the President that the nominee fails to meet constitutional and ethical requirements for the sensitive electoral position.
“The Senate must act in line with precedent, as it did in 2021 when it rejected the nomination of Lauretta Onochie due to her affiliation with the APC. Prof. Amupitan’s situation fits squarely within that same standard of disqualification,” the letter stated.
Citing Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (1991), the association maintained that Amupitan’s appointment would create a direct conflict between personal interest and public duty. It also referenced Section 19 of the ICPC Act (2003), which prohibits individuals from exploiting prior official or professional positions for undue advantage.
“Having previously served as Lead Counsel to the APC, Prof. Amupitan cannot credibly or impartially oversee elections in which the APC is a participant,” ALDRAP emphasized.
The association further noted that Nigeria boasts over 200,000 qualified lawyers, many of whom are non-partisan and thus suitable for the role without any appearance of bias.
ALDRAP also warned that it would initiate legal action if the Senate proceeds with Amupitan’s confirmation, to ensure compliance with constitutional standards of impartiality.
“Take notice that if the Senate goes ahead to confirm Prof. Joash Amupitan, our association will be left with no choice but to institute legal proceedings to compel adherence to the principles of impartiality in the appointment of an INEC Chairman,” the group warned.
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Director-General of the DSS, the Inspector-General of Police, and key foreign missions in Nigeria, including the European Union, United States, and United Kingdom embassies.
ALDRAP described itself as a professional body made up of over 1,000 legal practitioners who serve as staff and consultants to the National Assembly and other legislative institutions within and outside Nigeria.
