Stop Campaign Of  Calumny Against INEC, Arewa Youth Forum Tells Opposition

The Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) has urged opposition parties to stop what it described as a campaign of calumny against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing confidence in the leadership of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN).

The forum also called on political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media and other stakeholders to support ongoing electoral reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by its National President, Ahmed Mohammed Zagi, and made available to journalists on Tuesday, the forum urged opposition parties to stop what it described as a campaign of calumny against INEC, insisting that political actors should engage the electoral body constructively rather than undermine public confidence in its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prof. Amupitan has demonstrated commitment to defending the Constitution and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The forum said the INEC chairman had successfully supervised the conduct of the Anambra State governorship election and was leading preparations for forthcoming elections, including the FCT Area Council election as well as the Ekiti and Osun off-cycle governorship elections, which it described as important tests ahead of the 2027 polls.

AYF commended what it described as proactive measures introduced by the Commission under Amupitan’s leadership, including the configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for improved performance, the recruitment of ad hoc staff through the INECPRES portal, and efforts to ensure the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the country’s 177 registration areas.

The forum also applauded the INEC chairman’s commitment to building public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that every eligible Nigerian is able to exercise the right to vote.

It recalled that Prof. Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was approved by the National Council of State and confirmed by the Senate based on what it described as his integrity, competence and non-partisan credentials.

AYF stressed that credible elections could not be achieved by INEC alone, urging political parties and other stakeholders to support the Commission in delivering free, fair and credible elections.

It called on opposition parties to channel their grievances through legitimate democratic processes rather than sustained public attacks capable of eroding confidence in the electoral system.

The forum also appealed to security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and youth groups to support efforts to curb misinformation and promote peaceful, transparent and credible elections.

AYF further urged Nigerians to renew their confidence in the electoral process as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.

The group acknowledged the contributions of former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to the digital transformation of Nigeria’s electoral system, expressing confidence that his successor would consolidate on those reforms.

“The Arewa Youth Forum stands firmly with INEC and Prof. Joash Amupitan. We urge all Nigerians, especially the youth of Northern Nigeria, to support the Commission in delivering free, fair, credible and inclusive elections,” the statement said.