The Arewa Youth Alliance for Religious Harmony has voiced its disapproval of recent calls for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, labeling such demands as unnecessary and potentially harmful. At a press conference held at the Arewa House in Kaduna, the group’s chairman, Elder Joseph Fain Chori, emphasized that attempts to pressure Amupitan out of office are misguided and stem from the politicization of an academic opinion he expressed years ago during his tenure as a lecturer.
Chori pointed out that the North is currently grappling with significant socio-economic and security challenges, urging stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid actions that could exacerbate ethnic or religious divisions. He stressed the importance of addressing national issues with care and cautioned against misunderstandings escalating into tensions.
The Alliance praised INEC for the transparent conduct of the recent Anambra governorship election, highlighting the competitive nature of Nigeria’s electoral process as evidenced by the emergence of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate. Chori argued that removing Amupitan shortly after an election that garnered positive feedback would be counterproductive and destabilizing for the electoral system.
Co-Chairman Comrade Abbas Mohammed Aminu reiterated the youth group’s commitment to supporting credible electoral processes and indicated that calls for Amupitan’s removal do not represent the broader opinion of northern youths. He asserted that INEC should be afforded the space necessary to fulfill its mandate effectively. The group encouraged northern leaders and Nigerians across political lines to back INEC as preparations commence for the 2027 general elections.
