How I Received Clear Divine Conviction Before Accepting INEC Job — Amupitan
By Rotela Oguns
Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has revealed how he would have rejected the daunting role of leading Nigeria’s electoral body but for “a clear divine conviction” he had that “God would strengthen and help him in office”.
Amupitan noted that he braced himself for the task after receiving spiritual assurance that God wanted him to be at the helm of INEC saying,“If I did not have the conviction for this job, I would not accept it,”
The INEC boss made this claim while speaking in Abuja at an end of tenure and appreciation service organised by the Nigerian Baptist Convention for its outgoing president, Israel Akanji, and his wife, Victoria.
Amupitan noted that he accepted the INEC responsibility after divine prompting describing the development as “a clear message from God” adding that the experience has strengthened his resolve to pilot the affairs of the electoral body.
“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,” Amupitan said while narrating his experience.
He said conviction had remained the anchor of his stewardship at the commission, despite challenges associated with managing elections in a complex democratic environment.
According to him, divine guidance has sustained him since assuming office, adding that no storm was beyond God’s power to calm.
“No matter the storm, no matter the difficulty, God is able to calm every storm. That is what God has been doing,” he said.
Amupitan used the occasion to call on Nigerians to pray for the electoral body and for the success of the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that the next polls could set a new benchmark.
“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.
“I cannot do it on my own, but with the Lord on my side, it is possible, and it is doable.”
The INEC chairman also advised those planning to go into ministry or public service to seek divine guidance before commiting themselves into it.
“My experience so far as the 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.
His remarks come as preparations and political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections begin to draw increasing national attention.
There have been questions around electoral integrity, technology deployment and voter confidence already shaping public discourse.
Recall that Amupitan was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in October 2025 to succeed Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended on October 7 of that year.
Meanwhile, since assuming office Amupitan has been under heavy criticisms particularly from the opposition parties which keep accusing him of partisanship while doubting his ability to conduct a free, fair and credible election in 2027.
