A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has called on the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, to protect his integrity by ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process in Nigeria.

Mr Obi said Mr Amupitan must strive to leave behind a legacy and reputation that his children and generations after him would be proud of after office.

President Bola Tinubu had last month appointed Mr Amupitan, a professor of law, as the new INEC chairman, replacing Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose second five-year tenure ended recently.

Speaking on Saturday shortly after casting his vote in the ongoing Anambra State governorship election, Mr Obi noted that leaders must always remember that history would judge them by their actions and decisions.

He stressed that leadership is about service and character, adding that the new INEC boss should learn from the experiences of his predecessors.

“I have congratulated the new INEC chairman (Amupitan) and told him to look at what happened to his predecessors. All I can say to him is that the name and reputation his children will live with is a test. None of us will be in a position forever, so it is important that when you’re there, try and serve people – serve humanity,” Mr Obi said after voting at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi Agulu 2, Ward 8.

He further noted that Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress unless institutions such as INEC operate independently and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.

Describing the ongoing Anambra State governorship election as a “litmus test” for the commission, Mr Obi said voters were eager to witness a free, fair, and credible process.

The LP leader, who is backing his party’s candidate, George Moghalu, advised that whoever emerges victorious should focus on serving the people.

He said, “Everybody involved in the election is my brother and sister. Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty. Our schools must work, our hospitals must function, and every village should have at least a primary healthcare centre people can access.’’

A total of 16 candidates are participating in the governorship election, with six seen as major contenders.

They are the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP); and John Chuma-Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Mr Soludo, who is seeking a second and final term in office, was first elected on November 6, 2021, and sworn in on March 17, 2022. His current tenure expires in March 2026.