Prof. Amupitan says the era of courtroom battles over elections is over
The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has pledged to tackle the persistent problem of pre-election litigations that have plagued Nigeria’s democratic process for years.
He made this commitment while speaking at the 56th Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) held at the University of Abuja on Monday.
Prof. Amupitan, who assumed office barely a week ago following his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu, declared that the days of “endless courtroom battles” over political party primaries and internal disputes were numbered.
Over 1,000 pre-election cases before 2023 polls
Speaking firmly, the INEC Chairman lamented that the commission had been overwhelmed by over 1,000 pre-election cases filed before the 2023 general elections, describing the trend as “unsustainable” and contrary to the principles of true democracy.
“That is not democracy; that is litigation by other means,” he said. “If we must build a credible electoral system, we must begin by reducing the avalanche of court cases that arise before every election.”
According to him, the solution to the problem lies primarily with political parties. He emphasized that adherence to internal rules and respect for the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would drastically reduce the number of disputes brought before the courts.
“If political parties obey their constitutions, respect the Electoral Act, and align their conduct with the Nigerian Constitution, the avalanche of pre-election cases will collapse,” Amupitan explained.
Commitment to electoral reform and public trust
Prof. Amupitan said his administration’s primary goal is to make the law “an instrument of change, not chaos.” He stressed that electoral reform must restore faith in the democratic process, where the will of the people is reflected at the polls rather than determined by court judgments.
“My desire is that when we get the law right, even the losers will be the first to congratulate the winner. That is when our democracy can be said to have matured,” he said.
The INEC boss also called on the National Assembly to enact stronger legislation that would ensure internal democracy within political parties, reduce judicial interference, and promote transparency in the electoral process.
“We cannot continue to allow the courts to determine our elections. Elections must be won at the polling units, not in the courtroom,” he declared.
Law as a tool for justice, not personal gain
Addressing law teachers, students, and jurists at the conference themed “Law, National Development and Economic Sustainability in a Globalised World,” Prof. Amupitan urged members of the legal community to see the law as a tool for justice and national development rather than as a means of personal enrichment.
“As law teachers, we must lead by example—building a generation that values integrity over influence and justice over convenience,” he stated.
He was accompanied to the conference by his wife, Prof. Yemisi Amupitan, a distinguished legal scholar and member of the NALT Board of Trustees, who also received recognition for her contributions to legal education in Nigeria.
NALT commends INEC chairman’s reform vision
Earlier, the President of NALT and Dean of Law at the University of Ibadan, Prof. John Akintayo, commended the INEC Chairman’s reform agenda. He noted that Nigeria’s progress depends largely on how effectively its laws adapt to emerging social and political realities.
“A nation’s progress depends on how its laws anticipate, adapt to, and shape change. What Prof. Amupitan has proposed today is not just electoral reform but a return to legal sanity and respect for due process,” Prof. Akintayo said.
Conference Chairman, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu of the University of Abuja, also highlighted the importance of this year’s gathering, noting that discussions would extend beyond electoral reforms to critical areas such as food security, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and legal frameworks for sustainable development.
A new direction for Nigeria’s electoral system
Political analysts say Prof. Amupitan’s remarks signal a new phase for Nigeria’s electoral process, one that prioritizes discipline within political parties and limits the role of the judiciary in determining electoral outcomes.
If implemented, his reforms could reduce the number of election-related cases clogging Nigeria’s court system and help restore citizens’ confidence in the integrity of the ballot.
As the newly appointed INEC Chairman begins his tenure, all eyes are on how he will translate his reform agenda into actionable policies capable of reshaping Nigeria’s democratic experience.
