Amupitan is New INEC Chairman as Senate Confirms Tinubu’s Nominee
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his screening and approval through a voice vote.
The confirmation, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, came after an extensive question-and-answer session during which lawmakers quizzed Amupitan on his plans for electoral reforms, transparency, and the use of technology to improve Nigeria’s voting system.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Professor of Law at the University of Jos, arrived at the National Assembly earlier in the day in the company of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and other dignitaries.
He was formally escorted into the Senate chamber at about 12:50 p.m. by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado.
Before the screening commenced, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved a motion to suspend Order 12 to allow guests into the chamber. The motion was seconded by Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Welcoming the nominee, Senate President Akpabio revealed that Amupitan had successfully undergone security clearance by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.
During the screening, Amupitan outlined his commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, emphasizing the importance of technology in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Following his confirmation, the new INEC chairman is expected to oversee the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and commence early preparations for the 2027 general elections.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier nominated Amupitan to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently came to an end. The nomination letter was read on Tuesday during plenary by Senate President Akpabio.
Professor Amupitan’s confirmation marks a significant transition at the nation’s electoral body, signaling the Tinubu administration’s direction for electoral management. His background as a legal expert and academic is widely seen as crucial for tackling the complex legal and logistical challenges that have historically plagued Nigerian elections, particularly as INEC continues to integrate advanced technological solutions like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) into its core operations.
