A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has advised the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, not to succumb to any form of intimidation while discharging his duties.

Mr Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC presidential campaign council (PCC), made this statement while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo.

He urged the INEC boss to demonstrate a high level of courage and integrity in the face of intimidation from politicians, especially opposition parties, ahead of the off-cycle and general elections.

Mr Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, also advised Mr Amupitan not to disappoint Nigerians and to resist all forms of undue pressure from politicians, especially opposition, who may seek to blackmail the commission to discredit valid electoral processes.

According to him, the commission, under Mr Amupitan’s leadership, must act in line with the established rules and regulations, as well as, acceptable standards of practice to avoid committing errors in the face of pressure from politicians.

“All eyes are on the new INEC boss, and I want to advise him to stay focused and resist all forms of pressure that could undermine the integrity of the Commission.

“Amupitan must ignore all forms of negative criticism and ensure he abides by the laid-down rules and regulations for the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

“Those who lost elections will continue to undermine the efforts of the Commission towards conducting a credible elections in the country for their own personal gain, but the INEC boss must fear no one. He must apply the rules without favour,” he said.

Mr Oyintiloye also commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Amupitan for the noble job, saying his choice could not have been a mistake.

The APC chieftain said that Mr Amupitan’s appointment shows that he is a man of integrity and honour with capacity to sanitise the country’s electoral process.

He noted that the Anambra governorship election in November and the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun would be a litmus test for Mr Amupitan.

While congratulating him on his appointment, Mr Oyintiloye further said all eyes are on the new INEC boss to protect the integrity of the electoral Commission.

(NAN)