Garba Mohammed
The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and constitutional law expert, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Amupitan’s confirmation followed a voice vote by senators after he successfully underwent screening and responded to questions on his vision for credible elections, institutional reforms, and the integration of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The confirmation took place on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Amupitan, who was accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and other dignitaries, arrived at the Senate chambers shortly before 12:50 p.m. He exchanged pleasantries with lawmakers before being ushered into the chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado.
His admission followed a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) to suspend Order 12 of the Senate Standing Rules, allowing visitors into the chamber. The motion was seconded by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), the Minority Leader.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his welcome remarks, praised Amupitan’s distinguished legal and academic background and welcomed his family and supporters to the chamber. Akpabio disclosed that the nominee had been cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force, confirming that he had no criminal record.
The screening exercise, which commenced around 12:55 p.m., focused on Amupitan’s agenda for strengthening INEC’s independence, reforming internal structures, and expanding the role of technology in future elections.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who resigned after nearly ten years at the helm of the electoral body. The President’s nomination letter, read by Akpabio on Tuesday, was made in accordance with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Amupitan, a former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, is widely respected for his scholarship in constitutional and international law and has served as legal consultant to several national and international bodies.
With Thursday’s confirmation, the new INEC Chairman is expected to oversee the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lead the Commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.