The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, is currently undergoing screening before the Senate for his confirmation.
Amupitan, who arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier in the day, exchanged pleasantries with lawmakers before entering the chamber. He was accompanied by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo and other dignitaries.
At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the Senate chamber by Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and was seated ahead of the commencement of proceedings.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Prof. Amupitan, his family, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending their presence and support. The screening began around 12:55 p.m. after Akpabio’s introductory remarks, during which he outlined the process the lawmakers would follow in assessing the nominee’s qualifications and vision.
Verily News earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who recently resigned from his post as INEC Chairman.
Tinubu’s letter conveying the nomination was read by Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, is well known for his expertise in constitutional and international law.
His nomination, however, has drawn mixed reactions from civil society organisations and political observers, with several calling for reforms to safeguard INEC’s independence and transparency.
Lawmakers are expected to question the nominee on his plans for credible elections, strategies for institutional reforms within INEC, and efforts to expand the role of technology in Nigeria’s electoral system.
If confirmed, Prof. Amupitan will immediately begin preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the foundation for the 2027 general elections.
What You Should Know
Prof. Joash Amupitan, a respected legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is poised to lead Nigeria’s electoral body at a time of rising public demand for electoral integrity.
His confirmation will mark a new chapter for INEC as the nation prepares for critical elections that will test both transparency and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
