Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has revealed that he only accepted the responsibility of leading Nigeria’s electoral body after receiving what he described as a clear divine conviction.
Speaking in Abuja during an end-of-tenure thanksgiving service organized by the Nigerian Baptist Convention for its outgoing president, Israel Akanji, and his wife Victoria, Amupitan said he would have declined the appointments without spiritual assurance.
“If I did not have conviction for this job, I would not accept it”, he stated.
Recounting his decision, the INEC chairman said he drew strength from what he described as a direct message from God.
“The Lord said, ” Fear not, do not be dismayed. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you. I heard this clearly before I accepted this job”, he said.
Amupitan noted that this conviction has remained the foundation of his leadership despite the challenges of managing elections in a complex democratic environment.
According to him, divine guidance has sustained him in office, stressing that no challenge is beyond God’s control.
He called on Nigerian to continue praying for the electoral body and for the success of the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that the polls could set a new national benchmark.
“Continue to pray for us, and continue to pray for me that the 2027 election will be the best ever”, he said.
“I cannot do it my own, but with the Lord on my side, it is possible”.
Reflecting more broadly on leadership and pubic service, Amupitan cautioned against taking on responsibilities without clear sense of purpose.
“My experience so far is that If God does not send you somewhere, do not go there. If God does not send you, do not do it”, he added.
Amupitan was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 23, 2025 to succeed Mahmood Yakubu, becoming the sixth substantive chairman of INEC.
His remarks come amid growing political attention head of the 2027 elections, with debates intensifying over electoral integrity, technology, and voter confidence.
The INEC chairman has also faced scrutiny over allegations linked to resurfaced social media post suggesting sympathy for President Tinubu and the ruling party during the 2023 elections.
Critics, including opposition voices and civil society groups, have questions the commission’s neutrality and called for his resignation.
However, Amupitan has denied operating any such account, insisting on his political neutrality. INEC officials have also dismissed the allegations as attempts to discredit its leadership.
The pressure increased following calls by the African Democratic Congress for his resignation over separate concerns related to party’s internal leadership dispute.
Against this backdrop, Amupitan’s emphasis on faith and divine guidance is seen not only as personal reflection but also as a response to growing public scrutiny as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
-9News Nigeria.
