By Joy Yesufu
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Amupitan was administered to the oath of office at 1:50 pm at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu charged the new INEC Chairman to ensure the protection of the integrity of nation elections and electoral process.
He also told him to strengthen INEC to carry out its electoral duties efficiently.
Amupitan, on arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ahead of his official swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu around 1:30 pm.
The event marks the formal commencement of his tenure as Nigeria’s chief electoral officer, a week after his confirmation by the Senate on October 16, following a rigorous screening session.
During his appearance before lawmakers, the 58-year-old law professor outlined his plans to reform the country’s electoral framework, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public confidence in the commission.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored,” Amupitan told the Senate during his screening.
He also pledged to tighten the provisions of the Electoral Act to eliminate ambiguities in election timelines and enhance transparency across the process.
Amupitan, nominated by President Tinubu and approved by the National Council of State, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman recently expired.
His appointment makes him the sixth substantive head of the electoral body since its establishment.
Addressing reports linking him to President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, Amupitan dismissed the allegations, describing them as false.
“I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties,” he clarified, stressing his neutrality and independence.
Following his swearing-in, Amupitan is expected to immediately assume office at the INEC headquarters in Abuja and begin the transition process.
