The Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative, Bukola Idowu, has said that the forthcoming November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election will be conducted by the “old” Independent National Electoral Commission, despite the appointment of a new leadership.
Idowu explained that the new INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, would only be able to implement administrative changes rather than major electoral reforms, noting that substantive changes could only take effect ahead of the Osun and Ekiti elections.
“For instance, by the time he (Amupitan) came in, you don’t expect him to start procurement because the ballot paper contract would have been issued and printing already ongoing.
“The only thing he can do now is basically administrative. In the real sense of elections, it’s already late.
“So, for me, I’m looking forward to the changes he will introduce and the kind of elections we will have in Osun and Ekiti. But for Anambra, technically, it is still the old INEC that will conduct that election,” Idowu said.
He stated this at a strategic engagement with media executives and social media influencers on electoral reforms, held in Abuja on Friday.
On October 23, 2025, President Bola Tinubu swore in Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman at the State House, following his confirmation by the Senate and the exit of his predecessor, Mahmood Yakubu.
During his inauguration, Tinubu charged Amupitan to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Commission.
Upon assumption of office, the new INEC boss pledged to build a stronger and more credible electoral system, promising to collaborate with the National Assembly to improve electoral laws and ensure elections are won at the polling units rather than in courtrooms.
However, Idowu stressed the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reform, urging the media to amplify public discussions on the subject.
“Electoral reform is key and germane. While INEC leadership is important, there are still many elephants in the room—issues around results, election litigations, and continuous voter registration remain unresolved.
“We feel it’s time for the media to amplify these issues and galvanise citizens so that, as we move towards the 2027 elections, we can achieve a holistic Electoral Act that addresses the grey areas,” he said.
The Punch
