Let Tinubu Appoint Seyi Or Remi As INEC Chairman But Sack Amupitan First – Dele Farotimi Says
JUST IN: Let Tinubu Appoint Seyi Or Remi As INEC Chairman But Sack Amupitan First – Dele Farotimi Says
Human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, has weighed in on the growing controversy surrounding the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, insisting that calls for his removal should not be influenced by concerns over his potential successor.
Farotimi argued that the debate over who replaces the INEC chairman must not dilute demands for accountability. According to him, apprehension about the appointing powers of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not discourage Nigerians from insisting on Amupitan’s exit if confidence in his leadership has eroded.
Speaking via his verified account on X (formerly Twitter), Farotimi described the argument that Amupitan should remain in office simply because the president would appoint his successor as “misguided” and counterproductive to democratic accountability.
He maintained that even if the president chooses to appoint a close associate or family member, such as his son or wife, it should not deter citizens from demanding the removal of a public official they no longer trust.
“That Tinubu retains the power to appoint Amupitan’s successor should not be the basis for not demanding Amupitan’s removal; that argument is foolish and self-defeating. Let Tinubu appoint Seyi or Oluremi if he wants, but remove Amupitan first,” Farotimi stated.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come to the defence of the INEC chairman amid the controversy triggered by an alleged social media post linked to him.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) headquarters in Abuja, Akpabio said the remarks attributed to Amupitan had been taken out of context, urging the public to consider the full circumstances before drawing conclusions.
The situation continues to generate debate across political and civic spaces, with growing calls for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral management body.
