Senate Confirms Professor Joash Amupitan as New INEC Chairman
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following a thorough screening and a voice vote by lawmakers at the Red Chamber on Thursday.
Senate Endorses Tinubu’s Nominee
Professor Amupitan, who was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, appeared before the Senate earlier in the day, where he was accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries. His arrival at the National Assembly complex drew notable attention as Senators exchanged pleasantries with him before the session commenced.
At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado. The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion to suspend Order 12 to allow guests into the chamber — a motion seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Security Clearance and Senate Screening
Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan and his family, confirming that the nominee had passed all security vetting. According to Akpabio, Amupitan was cleared by the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, which confirmed that he had no criminal record.
The screening exercise began at about 12:55 p.m., with Senators evaluating his credentials and listening to his detailed presentation on Nigeria’s electoral future.
Vision for Electoral Reform
During the interactive session, Professor Amupitan outlined his vision for credible and transparent elections, institutional restructuring within INEC, and the deeper integration of technology into Nigeria’s electoral process. He emphasised the need for independence, transparency, and public trust in the Commission’s operations.
Following his confirmation, Amupitan is expected to oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and spearhead early planning for the 2027 general elections — a critical test for Nigeria’s democratic process.
Academic and Professional Background
A Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Amupitan previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Jos. He is widely recognised for his expertise in constitutional and international law, with a strong academic and professional reputation for integrity and excellence.
President Tinubu’s nomination of Amupitan was read on the floor of the Senate earlier this week, signalling a strategic move to strengthen the leadership of Nigeria’s electoral umpire ahead of key national elections.
Akahi News gathered that the new INEC boss’s immediate priority will involve implementing institutional reforms to rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and to ensure technology-driven transparency in future polls.
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