Former Chief Technical Adviser to the Imo State Governor, Jerry Chukwueke, has said that the Chairman-designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, needs adequate support and timely funding from the National Assembly and the Presidency to succeed in his task of strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
Chukwueke stated this on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, on Friday, where he emphasised the importance of giving INEC sufficient “lead time” to prepare for upcoming elections, including the Anambra and other subnational polls.
“I think the people who will now train the election officers and ad-hoc staff need lead time.
“The contractors and those deploying expert technology require lead time. So, this government and the National Assembly have got a job to do, give them the tools they need to do this work and do so on time,” he said.
Chukwueke, who is also a public affairs analyst, says that INEC’s success depends largely on the prompt release of funds and logistical support to enable effective planning and deployment.
“Get the budget, get the funding, get it to them on time so they have sufficient leeway to get on with this enormous task.
“We must all rally the National Assembly and the Presidency, give them the lead time, give them the funding they need, suddenly and efficiently,” he added.
READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman
According to him, the new INEC leadership faces a significant workload ahead, with elections fast approaching, making it critical for government institutions to act swiftly in providing necessary backing.
“The work is enormous; he needs to get out there and get on with it. But he’s well equipped to do it, that’s really the point I’m making.
“And if he gets the support he needs, I think he has the strength of character to take on the political pressure that will come and to actually get a management strategy out there, leading by example, that can deliver the results Nigerians are looking for,” Chukwueke added.
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Amupitan, a professor of Law, as the new Chairman of INEC.
He was confirmed by the upper chamber after his screening on Thursday.
Source: Channels TV
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