A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged the newly-appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to demonstrate firmness and refuse to yield to pressure from politicians in the discharge of his duties.

Oyintiloye, in a statement in Osogbo on Sunday, advised the electoral umpire to apply rules without fear or favour ahead of the forthcoming off-cycle and 2026 governorship elections.

He said all eyes would be on the Commission under Amupitan’s watch, warning that opposition elements who lose elections might attempt to discredit the Commission through blackmail and sponsored agitation.

He said: “The Commission under Amupitan’s leadership must act in line with established rules and acceptable standards. I urge him to resist harassment and negative criticism that could erode the credibility of the electoral process.”

The former lawmaker praised President Bola Tinubu for appointing the Kogi-born law professor, describing the choice as a confidence vote on his integrity and capacity to sanitise the electoral space.

The call came amid mixed reactions trailing the President’s appointment of Amupitan, which has revived debate on electoral reforms and the push for the adoption of the Justice Mohammed Uwais panel report.

Opposition figures such as Labour Party’s Tony Akeni and Obidient Movement’s Dr. Yunusa Tanko said the appointment exposed the urgency of reform, warning that future elections risk legitimacy crisis without structural changes to the appointment process.

However, New Nigeria People’s Party spokesman, Ladipo Johnson, said there was no breach of the law, even as he noted that the credibility of the new INEC boss would be tested by his conduct in office.