The Administrative Secretary of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), Jesse Williams Amuga, has denied authoring a letter circulating in the media that purportedly urged the Senate to reject the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement issued to journalists, Amuga said he neither authorised nor consented to the use of his name in the petition, describing it as “misleading and unauthorised.”
“My attention has been drawn to a publication by some media outlets purportedly requesting the Senate to reject the appointment of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as INEC Chairman in a letter written under the auspices of ALDRAP and signed by me,” Amuga said. “I distance myself completely from this publication, as I did not consent or authorise my name to be used in the letter.”
He acknowledged that while he serves as ALDRAP’s Administrative Secretary, the association’s letterhead bearing his name and signature could have been misused by others without his approval.
“My name and signature appear on the letterheaded paper and as such can be used by anyone to send out letters. I regret any inconvenience this may have caused,” he explained.
Amuga urged the public and the Senate to disregard the petition attributed to him, calling for its immediate removal from circulation.
“I urge members of the public to disregard the petition to the Nigerian Senate signed by me against the appointment of Prof. Amupitan and request that the publication be removed immediately,” he stated.
He also extended goodwill to the newly appointed INEC Chairman, wishing him success in his duties.
“In the same vein, I wish the newly appointed INEC Chairman good luck in the task bestowed on him,” he added.
The clarification, dated 12 October 2025, was copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Senate, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
