Senate to screen Joash Amupitan as new INEC Chairman Thursday

 The Senate is set to screen Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), for confirmation as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier transmitted a letter to the Senate seeking Amupitan’s confirmation in line with constitutional provisions guiding appointments into the nation’s electoral body.

The letter, read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urged lawmakers to expedite action on the nomination to ensure a seamless transition in the commission’s leadership.

Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, hails from Kwara State and is widely respected in legal and academic circles.

He is a former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), with extensive experience in constitutional and electoral law.

His nomination comes following the completion of tenure by former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose leadership of the electoral body ended earlier this month.

Senate sources confirmed that the screening will be conducted by the Committee of the Whole, reflecting the significance of the appointment to Nigeria’s democratic process.

If confirmed, Amupitan will be saddled with the responsibility of strengthening electoral reforms, improving transparency in the commission’s operations, and rebuilding public confidence ahead of future elections.

The nomination has already attracted interest from political observers and civil society groups, who are calling for a fair and thorough screening process to ensure the credibility of the nation’s electoral umpire.