The Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following a rigorous screening session at the National Assembly on Thursday.
The confirmation came after a three-hour grilling during which senators extensively questioned Amupitan, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee, on various aspects of electoral law, integrity, and reform.
After the Committee of the Whole deliberated, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a voice vote, and the “ayes” carried the motion, signaling unanimous approval without opposition. Akpabio congratulated the new INEC Chairman, urging him to ensure credible elections “where votes will count.”
During the screening, Amupitan firmly denied allegations that he served as Legal Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal or at the Supreme Court. He clarified that public law reports of the proceedings were available for anyone to verify his claim.
In his remarks to the lawmakers, the professor pledged to promote electoral transparency and fairness. He assured the Senate that, under his leadership, INEC would conduct elections “where losers congratulate the winners,” emphasizing the need for credible polls as a foundation for national development.
Amupitan further promised to tackle logistics challenges, pledging to introduce innovations such as using clones to safeguard election materials and to intensify voter education across the country.
The nominee’s appearance before the Senate began at 12:50 p.m., following a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) to suspend Order 12 and allow his entry into the chamber. The motion was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Before the question-and-answer session began, Senate President Akpabio informed his colleagues that Amupitan had been thoroughly vetted by security agencies. He was cleared by the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who confirmed through fingerprint checks that he had no criminal record.
Earlier in the week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had written to the Senate, requesting the prompt screening and confirmation of Professor Amupitan as INEC Chairman. His letter, read by Akpabio, was submitted in line with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The President’s letter read in part:
“In accordance with the provisions of Section 154 subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Attached is his curriculum vitae, while hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment of the nominee in its usual expeditious manner.”
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee of the Whole for immediate legislative consideration, which culminated in Thursday’s confirmation.
What You Should Know
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law at the University of Jos, succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as INEC Chairman.
Known for his expertise in constitutional and international law, his tenure is expected to focus on electoral reforms, transparency, and improved logistics ahead of upcoming elections.
