The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR) has lauded the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, for what it described as the “credible and transparent” conduct of the just-concluded Anambra State governorship election.
In a statement issued in Abuja by its Executive Director, Barrister Anderson Achilike (MCIArb), the Centre praised the INEC boss for demonstrating “professionalism, integrity, and commitment to credible electoral standards.”
According to the human rights group, the peaceful and orderly manner in which the Anambra poll was conducted marked “a new dawn in Nigeria’s democratic journey,” adding that it has restored public confidence in INEC’s ability to deliver free, fair, and credible elections.
“The Anambra governorship election was a clear reflection of improved electoral processes and a renewed spirit of institutional integrity under the leadership of Dr. Amupitan,” the statement read. “It indeed holds promises of better standards in the coming elections across the federation.”
The ACJHR further noted that INEC’s performance during the election has rekindled hope among Nigerians that the nation is finally steering toward a future where “votes truly count and the will of the people prevails.”
“It is indeed a new era in our electoral space,” the group declared, urging INEC and its leadership “not to relent in this wise, but to sustain the momentum that has earned the Commission renewed public trust and respect.”
The Centre also called on political actors, civil society organizations, and security agencies to continue supporting INEC’s ongoing reforms and commitment to deepening democratic governance in the country.
“Sustained collaboration among all stakeholders is key to building on the progress recorded in Anambra,” ACJHR said.
LEADERSHIP reports that the 2025 Anambra governorship election, held recently under the supervision of INEC, saw Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) re-elected with 422,664 votes, winning all 21 local government areas and defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured around 99,445 votes.
The election drew commendation from civil society groups and politicians alike.
