Olayiwola Matthew
The Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His confirmation came after a voice vote by lawmakers, following a screening session in which Amupitan answered questions on his plans for the commission’s future.
Amupitan, who arrived at the National Assembly earlier in the day, exchanged pleasantries with senators before entering the chamber. He was accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and several dignitaries.
At about 12:50 p.m., he was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado. His entry followed a motion by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), to suspend Order 12 and permit visitors into the chamber. The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence. Akpabio also disclosed that the nominee had been cleared by multiple security agencies, including the National Security Adviser’s office, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Police Force. According to Akpabio, “the Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search, confirmed that Amupitan has no criminal record.”
The screening began around 12:55 p.m. after Akpabio’s opening remarks, during which he outlined the Senate’s procedure for assessing the nominee’s credentials. Lawmakers quizzed Amupitan on his vision for credible elections, plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and strategies for enhancing the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral system.
With his confirmation, Amupitan will now oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and set the stage for the 2027 general elections.
Earlier reports indicated that President Bola Tinubu nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, to replace Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The nomination letter was read by Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan is widely respected for his expertise in constitutional and international law.