The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said he accepted the responsibility of leading Nigeria’s electoral body after what he described as a firm spiritual conviction that God would support and strengthen him.
Speaking in Abuja during a thanksgiving and end-of-tenure appreciation service organised by the Nigerian Baptist Convention for its outgoing president, Rev. Israel Akanji, and his wife, Victoria, Amupitan explained that he would not have taken up the role without what he called clear inner assurance.
“If I did not have the conviction for this job, I would not accept it,” he said.
He recounted that his decision to accept the appointment was shaped by what he believes was a message of encouragement, which he attributed to 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 continued to sustain him in office, despite the pressures and complexities involved in conducting elections in Nigeria.
According to him, he has remained confident that divine guidance can help him navigate challenges in the electoral process, stressing that difficulties are not beyond resolution.
“No matter the storm, no matter the difficulty, God is able to calm every storm. That is what God has been doing,” he added.
He also urged Nigerians to remember INEC in their prayers ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing hope that the polls could meet higher standards.
“Continue to pray for Nigeria, continue to pray for us, and continue to pray for me that the 2027 election will be the best ever,” he said.
Amupitan added that while personal effort is important, success in public service requires what he described as divine direction.
“My experience so far as INEC chairman is that if God does not send you somewhere, do not go there. If God does not send you, do not do it,” he said.
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