Senate Confirms Professor Joash Amupitan as New INEC Chairman

By Iyojo Ameh

The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following a voice vote after a comprehensive screening exercise.

Professor Amupitan, a distinguished scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, arrived at the National Assembly earlier in the day, exchanging pleasantries with senators before proceeding to the chamber.

He was accompanied by Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries. At about 12:50 p.m., he was ushered into the Senate chamber by Senator Abubakar Lado, Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), and was seated ahead of the proceedings.

To make room for the nominee’s entourage, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion to suspend Order 12, which was seconded by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South). Senate President Godswill Akpabio warmly welcomed Amupitan, his family, and supporters, acknowledging their presence and goodwill.

Before the screening exercise commenced, Akpabio informed the Senate that Amupitan had been cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the Office of the Inspector-General of Police. The background checks confirmed he had no criminal record following a fingerprint verification process.

The screening began at 12:55 p.m., with senators assessing Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his reform agenda for INEC, and his plans to enhance the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

With his confirmation, Professor Amupitan will now steer INEC through the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and oversee preparations for the 2027 general elections. He succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, following his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which was formally presented to the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Amupitan, a former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, is widely recognized for his expertise in constitutional and international law and is expected to bring a reform-oriented approach to Nigeria’s electoral administration.