President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, to defend the integrity of Nigeria’s elections, describing credible polls as the bedrock of any democracy.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja shortly after administering the oath of office to the new INEC boss, Tinubu said Amupitan’s appointment, confirmed by the Senate a week ago, was a mark of confidence in his competence and character by both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“I, therefore, urge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this assignment, to protect the integrity of our elections and the electoral process and the institutional capacity of INEC, and I wish you success on your first assignment in November 2025, which is the governorship election of Anambra state.
“As the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, your nomination and confirmation are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you.
“This marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.
The President emphasised that Nigeria’s democracy, which has lasted since 1999, had evolved through reforms, innovation, and lessons learned from past challenges.
“Our democracy has come a long way. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly our electoral system. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach,” Tinubu noted.
Tinubu noted that while no electoral system is flawless, credibility and transparency at every stage, be it registration, campaigning, voting, and results collation, remain critical to sustaining public trust.
“Elections safeguard the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future.
“We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow,” he added.
Tinubu urged Amupitan to prioritise transparency, inclusivity, and non-violence in future polls.
The newly sworn-in Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has also vowed to restore credibility and public confidence in the country’s electoral system, declaring his appointment as a “divine” call to serve the nation.
He declared that his mission was clear — to deliver free, fair, and credible elections while deepening democratic values across the nation.
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During his first official meeting with the commission’s directors, he stressed that achieving INEC’s mandate would hinge on teamwork, discipline, and integrity within the institution.
“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.
Addressing INEC staff and directors, the don pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
“As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.
Turning his attention to the upcoming Anambra State governorship election, the INEC chairman described it as a defining moment for the commission.
“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion.
“Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task. And let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.
The don also made staff welfare a central part of his agenda, acknowledging that the commission’s workforce plays a vital role in ensuring credible elections.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority.
“We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” the INEC chairman assured.
The chairman, accompanied by his wife, children, and senior officials from the University of Jos, expressed gratitude to his academic colleagues who celebrated his appointment.
“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very heckling and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.
Despite the weight of his new responsibilities, he said he was ready for the challenge.
“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, I don’t envy you. But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead