Northern Minorities Back Amupitan’s INEC Appointment, Urge Nigerians to Shun Ethnic Bias

The Northern Nigeria Minorities Group (NNMG) has appealed to Nigerians to avoid linking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ethnic or sectional bias.

In a statement signed by its Convener, Chief Jacob Edi (Kakaki Bassange), the group stressed that national appointments should be assessed based on merit, competence, and inclusivity, rather than ethnic or regional considerations.

According to the NNMG, Professor Amupitan, who hails from the Okun area of Kogi State, represents one of the minority nationalities in Northern Nigeria, and his nomination highlights the region’s ethnic diversity.

“Professor Amupitan is from the Okun area of Kogi State, one of the minority nationalities in the North. The North consists of 19 states, each with its unique cultural and ethnic identity,” the group noted.

The statement further observed that since the establishment of Nigeria’s statutory electoral body in 1959, individuals from minority groups in the North have seldom been considered for such high-profile national positions.

“This nomination offers an opportunity to strengthen inclusion and give recognition to all parts of the region,” the group added.

The NNMG urged Nigerians to focus on competence and integrity as the key benchmarks for public service, while encouraging support for actions that promote national unity and fairness.

“We must celebrate appointments that reflect equity and merit rather than dwell on sectional considerations,” the statement read.

Commending President Tinubu for his efforts toward diversity and balanced representation, the group described Amupitan’s nomination as a move that could deepen democratic values and institutional credibility in Nigeria.

“This appointment should be seen as a positive step toward inclusivity and balanced representation,” it stated.

The group also appealed to political leaders, opinion leaders, and citizens to refrain from divisive remarks, stressing that unity and mutual respect remain essential to Nigeria’s stability and progress.

“What Nigeria needs now is a collective commitment to competence, fairness, and shared responsibility,” Chief Edi emphasized.

He reaffirmed that northern minority groups remain steadfast in their commitment to national peace, unity, and development, pledging continued support for policies that strengthen the Nigerian federation.

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