Shehu Sani, a prominent human rights advocate and former senator representing Kaduna Central, has shared his perspective on the difficulties faced by leaders of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially in light of the recent controversy surrounding Joash Amupitan.
Professor Amupitan, who currently heads INEC, has come under heavy criticism following his decision to withdraw recognition from the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark. The move has sparked debate, with some critics suggesting it may have political undertones.
Reacting through a post on his official X account, Shehu Sani defended the electoral body and its chairman, emphasizing that occupying such a position inevitably comes with intense public scrutiny. He noted that every action taken by an INEC chairman is closely examined and often judged through political lenses.
To support his argument, Sani reflected on the experience of former INEC chairman Attahiru Jega. He recalled that Jega faced strong backlash in northern Nigeria after announcing Goodluck Jonathan as the winner of the 2011 presidential election. At the time, many critics labeled him unfavorably.
However, Sani pointed out that public perception shifted dramatically a few years later when Jega declared Muhammadu Buhari the winner of the 2015 election. The same groups that had once criticized him went on to commend his actions, illustrating how public opinion can change depending on political outcomes.
Based on this pattern, Sani advised that Professor Amupitan should be prepared for ongoing criticism, noting that decisions made by electoral authorities are rarely universally accepted. He concluded that approval often depends on who benefits from those decisions, reinforcing the challenging nature of the role…See More
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