The Ayetoro Gbede community in Ijumu Local Government Area has called on critics of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to stop distracting him with demands for his resignation and allow him to concentrate on his duties.

In a show of solidarity, over 1,000 indigenes, mostly youths, took to the streets on Monday in a peaceful rally, declaring unwavering support for the INEC boss, whom they described as a man of proven integrity and competence.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Campaign of Calumny Against Our Son,” “Thank You Mr. President for the Choice of Professor Joash Amupitan,” and “Stop Trying to Pull Him Down,” amongst others.

Speaking during the rally, the National President of the Ayetoro Gbede Development Association (AGDA), Mr. Samuel Olorunmaiye, praised Prof. Amupitan’s track record, noting his distinguished career in academia and public service.

He highlighted that the INEC Chairman previously served as Head of the Department of Public Law at the University of Jos, became the longest-serving Dean of the Faculty of Law at the same institution, and later rose to the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration.

Describing him as a man of strong values, Olorunmaiye urged Nigerians to give him the needed support to succeed in his role.

“We believe in his capacity and integrity. Nigerians should allow him to do his job. By the grace of God, he will succeed,” he said, while encouraging the INEC Chairman to remain focused on delivering credible, free, and fair elections in 2027.

He further dismissed allegations of partisanship against Prof. Amupitan as baseless, emphasizing that as a seasoned legal scholar, he fully understands the responsibilities and neutrality required of his office.

Also speaking, the Youth Leader of the community, Comrade Elijah Babatunde, reaffirmed the total support of Ayetoro Gbede indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora.

He urged the INEC Chairman not to be distracted by what he described as politically motivated attacks, but to remain committed to his constitutional responsibilities in line with the Electoral Act.

Babatunde noted that calls for the resignation of electoral officials are not new in Nigeria, stressing that such actions are often aimed at undermining the independence of the electoral body.

He maintained that attempts to link Prof. Amupitan to any political party were unfounded and designed to derail his focus.

“The Prof. Joash Amupitan we know is a man of integrity who will not compromise standards. He is not a politician but a neutral figure appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead the commission,” he said. (TRIBUNE)

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