Prof. Usman Yusuf, former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, to resign, saying any election conducted under him would lack credibility.
Yusuf spoke during a recent interview with Symfoni Media, where he questioned the neutrality of the electoral body’s leadership.
He said anyone occupying the position of INEC chairman must be “independent and above board”, adding that controversies surrounding the office undermine public trust in the electoral process.
“My advice… is that he should take the path of honour and just recuse himself and resign,” Yusuf said.
The ex NHIS boss argued that the current chairman lacks the confidence of key stakeholders, including opposition figures and sections of the public.
“This election will not be accepted if it is supervised by the current INEC chairman. End of story,” he said.
Yusuf also alleged that the appointment of the INEC chair was influenced by political considerations, accusing President Bola Tinubu of selecting a candidate with perceived bias.
He further questioned the role of security agencies in the screening process, suggesting that due diligence may not have been properly conducted.
Yusuf was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in January 2025 over an alleged N90 million fraud, which he denied, describing the move as political intimidation by the current administration.
He maintained that electoral integrity should take precedence over political interests, urging the INEC chairman to step aside in the interest of credible elections.
