Socio cultural groups operating under the umbrella of Ethnic Youth Leaders have rejected calls for the resignation of the Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing them as politically motivated and lacking constitutional basis.
The youth leaders were responding to statements made by former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, who rejected the recently adjusted timetable for the 2027 general election and demanded Professor Amupitan’s resignation, alleging an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
In a joint statement signed by Mirabel Ashara, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ethnic Youth Leaders, the groups called the demand baseless, premature, and without legal merit. They emphasised that adjusting an election timetable is a statutory responsibility of INEC under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
“The call for the resignation of Professor Joash Amupitan over an adjusted election timetable is not only nonsensical but also an attempt to heat up the polity unnecessarily,” the statement read.
The groups urged political actors to channel grievances through lawful institutional mechanisms rather than public agitation that could undermine public trust in democratic institutions. They also called on Nigerians to remain calm and have confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct credible, free, and fair elections in 2027.
Reaffirming their trust in Professor Amupitan’s leadership, the youth leaders described him as a seasoned legal scholar and administrator committed to transparency, neutrality, and the rule of law. They advised all stakeholders to prioritise national ility and democratic consolidation over partisan interests.
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