The Arewa Youth Alliance for Religious Harmony has declared that northern youths would continue to support the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Omupitan, as he works to deliver credible elections in 2027.
The group said the “few voices” calling for Omupitan’s sack do not represent the majority of the northern population.
Addressing a news conference yesterday in Kaduna, chairman of the group, Elder Joseph Fain Chori, rejected calls for the sack or resignation of the INEC chairman, saying those behind the campaign are people “afraid of free, fair and credible elections.”
The group described the demands for Omupitan’s removal as “ill-advised” and an attempt to politicise an academic opinion expressed years ago during his time as a university lecturer.
While saying the North was currently facing serious challenges that required unity, it cautioned against actions capable of deepening ethnic or religious divisions.
“It is disheartening to witness elements within our fold spearheading a campaign that is needlessly divisive. We must not allow personal grievances to be clothed in ethnic or religious sentiments,” Chori said.
The group argued that rather than targeting Omupitan, Nigerians should support institutions that uphold electoral integrity.
It commended the new INEC chairman and his team for the “credible and transparent” conduct of the recently concluded Anambra governorship election.
According to the alliance, the Anambra poll, which produced the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) rather than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), proved that elections can be competitive and reflective of the people’s will.
“The outcome has boosted the morale of opposition parties and dispelled fears that Nigeria was drifting into a one-party system,” Chori stated.
The group noted that removing Omupitan after overseeing an election widely regarded as free and fair would be counterproductive and contrary to the principles of justice.
