Analyst Warns Calls for INEC Chairman's Removal Risk Dangerous Precedent
Public analyst and development consultant Victor Walsh Oluwafemi has issued a stern warning that the growing demands for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), could establish a perilous precedent capable of eroding constitutional governance if not managed with restraint.
Threat to Institutional Stability
In a statement released on Sunday, Oluwafemi emphasized that while accountability is a cornerstone of democracy, efforts to force leadership changes in vital national institutions through public pressure, rather than established legal frameworks, risk destabilizing institutional integrity.
He specifically highlighted positions advocated by the African Democratic Congress and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, urging caution. Oluwafemi warned that such interventions, if not carefully controlled, might signal that leadership within key bodies can be swayed by agitation instead of constitutional procedures.
According to him, "when institutions begin to respond to pressure instead of process, democracy itself becomes negotiable."
Constitutional Procedures Must Prevail
Oluwafemi stressed that Nigeria's constitutional framework explicitly defines the process for removing an INEC chairman, noting that such actions are not subject to public sentiment or media campaigns.
He maintained that any grievances or allegations must be rigorously tested through judicial channels. "At this stage, restraint is not only advisable but essential. In every serious democracy, accusation must travel through the courts, not through microphones," he asserted.
Concerns Over Public Discourse
The analyst expressed deep concern over what he described as increasingly unguarded and inflammatory public discourse across both traditional and digital media. He cautioned that careless rhetoric could exacerbate political tensions in an already fragile environment.
Citing recent electoral observations, Oluwafemi noted that more than 200 incidents of election-related violence had been recorded, partly attributing this escalation to provocative statements and premature delegitimization of institutions.
"Words, when recklessly deployed in a fragile political climate, can become triggers rather than expressions," he added.
Call for Disciplined Engagement
Oluwafemi urged political actors, socio-religious organizations, and media commentators to exercise discipline in their engagements. He emphasized that public platforms should be utilized to strengthen democratic confidence rather than weaken trust in institutions.
He clarified that his stance was not a defense of any individual but a call to protect due process, order, and democratic stability.
