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Trouble looming for INEC chairman nominee, Amupitan as 1000 lawyers want Senate to disqualify him
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A coalition of over 1,000 lawyers under the aegis of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The lawyers, In a letter dated October 10, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), alleged that Prof. Amupitan is unfit for the position due to his previous role as Lead Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court.
ALDRAP argued that such political affiliation and professional engagement present a “clear case of bias, conflict of interest, and violation of statutory codes of conduct.”
According to the association’s Administrative Secretary, Jesse Williams Amuga, who signed the letter, the Senate should not proceed with any confirmation hearing for Prof. Amupitan but should instead respond to the President’s letter of nomination by stating that the nominee “does not meet the constitutional and ethical qualifications for the office.”
“The Senate must act in line with precedent, as seen in 2021 when it rejected the nomination of Lauretta Onochie over her affiliation with the APC. Prof. Amupitan’s case falls squarely within that standard of disqualification,” the letter stated.
Citing Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1991, ALDRAP maintained that Prof. Amupitan’s appointment would place him In a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.
The group further referenced Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, 2003, which prohibits the use of prior official or professional positions to gain undue advantage.
“Having previously served as Lead Counsel to the APC, Prof. Amupitan cannot credibly discharge the duties of an INEC Chairman, who must remain impartial in elections involving the APC and other parties,” the association stated.
ALDRAP noted that Nigeria has over 200,000 qualified lawyers, at least half of whom are not affiliated with any political party, and therefore eligible for appointment without the appearance of bias.
The association also warned that if the Senate proceeds with Amupitan’s confirmation, it would initiate legal action to compel compliance with constitutional standards of impartiality.
“Take notice that in the event the Senate goes ahead to undertake confirmation of the said Prof. Joash Amupitan, our association shall be left with no option than to institute a lawsuit to compel adherence to the requirements of impartiality in the confirmation of an INEC Chairman,” the group warned.
Copies of the letter were sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, and foreign diplomatic missions, including the European Union, United States, and United Kingdom embassies in Nigeria.
ALDRAP described itself as a professional body comprising over 1,000 lawyers working as staff and consultants to the National Assembly and other legislative bodies in Nigeria and abroad.
(Saturday Vanguard/News Express)
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described the victory of Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper, at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice as a major victory for journalism and press freedom in Nigeria.
The union, in its reaction to the judgment awarding N10 million in damages against the Nigerian government over the violation of Oyekunle’s rights, said the ruling represents an important step towards protecting journalists and defending media freedom.
The NUJ in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Achike Chude on Wednesday commended the efforts of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) for providing legal support and standing with the journalist throughout the legal process.
It said the judgment serves as a reminder of the need for the protection of journalists who perform their constitutional duty of informing the public, adding that attacks and harassment against media practitioners must not go unchecked.
The union urged the Nigerian government to comply with the ECOWAS Court judgment by paying the N10 million damages awarded to Oyekunle without delay.
According to the NUJ, prompt compliance with the ruling would demonstrate respect for the rule of law and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights and press freedom.
The union further called for stronger measures to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists across the country.
Signed
Comrade Achike Chude
National Secretary
President Tinubu Will Commission Roads 01 and 02 Linking Mabushi Bus Terminal and Ahmadu Bello Way Today
#FCTRenewedHope
#FCTProjectsCommissioning
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BEWARE: FG warns 26 States of flood, places, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, Adamawa, Benue, others as critical risk areas
The Federal Government has alerted residents of 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the possibility of flooding between June 22 and July 5, 2026, following forecasts of heavy rainfall in different parts of the country.
The warning was issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Flood Early Warning Centre under its Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department.
The ministry said several communities across the country have been identified as areas that could face serious flood threats during the period.
According to the forecast released on June 22, heavy rainfall is expected in many locations, raising concerns about possible flooding in vulnerable communities.
States placed under the critical-risk category include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.
In Abia State, the affected communities include Aba, Arochukwu and Umuahia. In Adamawa, the ministry listed Jimeta and Numan, while Eket, Oron and Uyo were named in Akwa Ibom. In Anambra, Onitsha Inland Town and Awka Urban Drainage Corridors were identified as vulnerable locations.
Bayelsa communities such as Yenagoa, Brass and Nembe Town were also listed among areas that could be affected by flooding.
Other locations mentioned include Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala in Benue State; Calabar Metropolis and Creek Town in Cross River State; Asaba, Warri and Sapele in Delta State; and Abakaliki, Afikpo and Onueke in Ebonyi State.
The ministry also identified Benin City Urban Core and Auchi in Edo State, Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, as well as Enugu, Nsukka and Oji River Town in Enugu State.
In Imo State, Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe were listed, while Lokoja and Ajaokuta were named in Kogi State. Communities such as Ilorin, Jebba and Pategi in Kwara State were also included in the warning.
Several parts of Lagos State were equally listed among the areas at risk.
These include Agege, Alimosho, Apapa, Badagry, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki and Surulere.
In Niger State, Bida, Minna, Mokwa, Suleja and Kontagora were identified, while Abeokuta, Ota and Sagamu were listed in Ogun State.
The flood alert further covered Akure, Owo and Okitipupa in Ondo State; Oshogbo, Ile-Ife and Ilesa in Osun State; Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo in Oyo State; as well as Port Harcourt Urban Core, Bonny, Ahoada and Omoku in Rivers State.
Apart from the states under the critical-risk category, the ministry also placed parts of Adamawa, the FCT, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states under a high-risk category.
Communities listed in this group include Yola North, Yola South, Mubi and Gurin in Adamawa State; Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya and Wuse in the FCT; Birnin Kebbi and Argungu in Kebbi State; Bako in Kogi State; and Keffi, Lafia, Karu and Toto in Nasarawa State.
The warning also covered Jos and Jos North in Plateau State, as well as Jalingo, Wukari, Takum, Serti and Karim Lamido in Taraba State.
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