God told me to accept INEC job – Amupitan

Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, says his decision to accept the role was guided by a strong personal conviction of divine support, which he believes has sustained him in office.

He spoke in Abuja at a thanksgiving service organised by the Nigerian Baptist Convention in honour of its outgoing President, Israel Akanji, and his wife, Victoria.

Amupitan said he would not have taken up the position without a firm sense of spiritual assurance.

“If I did not have the conviction for this job, I would not accept it,” he said.

He explained that his acceptance followed what he described as a clear inner conviction that he would receive the strength and guidance needed for the role.

“The Lord assured me not to be afraid and that He would strengthen and uphold me. That gave me the confidence to accept this responsibility,” he added.

He noted that this conviction has continued to influence his leadership style, particularly in managing the demands and complexities of overseeing elections in Nigeria.

“No matter the challenge, I believe God remains in control and capable of bringing calm in difficult situations,” he said.

The INEC chairman also called on Nigerians to support the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that the process can improve on previous outings despite the scale of the task.

“Pray for Nigeria, pray for the commission, and pray that the 2027 elections will be the best the country has witnessed,” he said.

He further advised against taking on major responsibilities without a clear sense of purpose.

“If God does not send you, then you should not go. If there is no clear direction, it is better not to take on such responsibilities,” he said.

His remarks come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to intensify, with increasing attention on electoral transparency, the use of technology, and voter confidence.

Amupitan was appointed by Bola Tinubu in October 2025 to succeed Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended earlier that month, making him the sixth substantive chairman of the commission.

His leadership has, however, drawn scrutiny following allegations linked to past social media activity suggesting sympathy for the ruling party during the 2023 elections. The development has raised concerns among opposition figures and civil society groups over the perceived neutrality of the electoral body ahead of the 2027 polls, with some calling for his resignation.