The chairman of electoral body, Joash Amupitan, has said he accepted his appointment only after receiving what he described as divine direction, linking his decision to spiritual conviction.
Amupitan, who heads the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said he would have declined the role offered by President Bola Tinubu without what he termed a clear message from God.
Speaking in Abuja during a church event, he stated: “If I did not have the conviction for this job, I would not accept it.”
He further recounted the moment behind his decision, saying: “The Lord said, ‘Fear not; do not be dismayed. I will strengthen you; I will help you.’ I heard this clearly before I accepted this job.”
The INEC chairman described faith as the foundation of his leadership, noting that divine guidance has continued to sustain him amid the pressures of managing elections in Africa’s most populous nation.
“No matter the storm, no matter the difficulty, God is able to calm every storm,” he said, adding that such belief has shaped his approach in office.
Amupitan also called on Nigerians to support the commission through prayers ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that the polls could surpass previous exercises.
“Continue to pray… that the 2027 election will be the best ever,” he said, acknowledging the scale of responsibility before the commission.
Appointed in October 2025 to succeed former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Amupitan’s tenure has attracted scrutiny, particularly over concerns raised by critics regarding the perceived neutrality of the electoral body.
The controversy has been fuelled by allegations linking him to past partisan expressions on social media—claims he has denied—while opposition voices have continued to demand greater transparency ahead of the next electoral cycle.
