The nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has expressed concern over the poor state of logistics used in Nigeria’s elections, describing many of the vehicles that transport sensitive materials as “in bad shape.”
Amupitan made the remarks on Thursday during his Senate screening, where he pledged to overhaul INEC’s logistics operations to ensure transparency, efficiency, and reliability in future elections.
He lamented that recurring logistical failures — such as faulty vehicles, poor power supply, and inadequate coordination — have continued to undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
“Some of the vehicles used to transport sensitive materials are in bad condition,” Amupitan told the lawmakers. “During the 2023 elections, my wife served as a collation officer, and we had to provide a generator because there was no electricity.”
Amupitan’s nomination was formally presented by President Bola Tinubu on October 14, following the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s two-term tenure as INEC Chairman. Tinubu announced the nomination during the National Council of State meeting on October 9, describing Amupitan as a reform-minded academic with a strong record in governance and policy management.
The nominee promised that, if confirmed, his administration would prioritize modernizing election logistics, including the use of technology, improved staff welfare, and better transportation infrastructure to prevent delays and logistical lapses that often mar elections in remote areas.
He also hinted at potential collaboration with security and energy agencies to guarantee uninterrupted operations during national polls.
