The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his nomination by President Bola Tinubu.
Professor Amupitan’s confirmation came after a rigorous screening session during Thursday’s plenary, where senators from both the majority and minority parties unanimously approved his appointment through a voice vote.
Presenting the report of the Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, its Chairman, Senator Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South), said Professor Amupitan met all constitutional and professional requirements for the position. He described the nominee as “a distinguished academic, legal scholar, and administrator with the integrity and experience needed to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.”
During the screening, Professor Amupitan pledged to uphold transparency, impartiality, and credibility in the conduct of future elections, promising to build on the achievements of his predecessors. He emphasized the need for electoral reforms that will enhance voter confidence, reduce disputes, and deepen democratic values across the country.
“I am committed to ensuring that every vote counts and that the commission operates above partisan interests,” Amupitan told lawmakers. “We will prioritize technology, training, and accountability to deliver free and credible elections.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while congratulating the new INEC chairman, urged him to justify the confidence reposed in him by Nigerians and the President. He charged Amupitan to ensure that INEC remains a truly independent body and to work towards improving electoral logistics and results transmission systems.
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“Professor Amupitan’s confirmation marks another step toward strengthening our democratic institutions. We expect professionalism, neutrality, and efficiency from INEC under his leadership,” Akpabio stated.
Professor Amupitan, a senior advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of Law at the University of Jos, replaces Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently expired after overseeing two general elections.
Political observers say his appointment signals a new chapter for Nigeria’s electoral management body, as the nation prepares for off-cycle gubernatorial elections and the next general elections in 2027.