Human rights activist Dele Farotimi has reacted to the ongoing controversy over the future of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan.
Farotimi insisted that demands for his removal should not be weakened by fears over who might replace him.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the activist made his position known on 𝕏, where he argued that concerns about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu having the power to appoint a successor should not stop Nigerians from asking for the INEC chairman to step down.
Farotimi said the argument that Amupitan should remain in office simply because the president would choose his replacement does not make sense and could harm the push for accountability.
He went further to say that even if the president decides to appoint someone close to him, including members of his family, it should not prevent calls for Amupitan’s removal if Nigerians have lost confidence in him.
He wrote: “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..🇳🇬🤨.”
In other news, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has defended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, amid controversy surrounding an alleged social media post attributed to him.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Akpabio, during his speech at the inauguration of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), headquarters in Abuja, said the comment was being misunderstood and should be viewed in the proper context.