The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following a rigorous screening session lasting over two hours.
Prof. Amupitan, a respected 58-year-old Professor of Law, was nominated by President Bola Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State.
He now becomes the sixth substantive INEC Chairman, succeeding Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended recently.
During his screening, Amupitan emphasised the need to restore voter confidence and ensure fair, transparent elections in Nigeria. He drew a vivid analogy
“We want elections where the loser congratulates the winner like a man sentenced to death saying, ‘Well done, I believe I’ve gotten justice.”, he said.
He pledged to review and strengthen the Electoral Act, address the timing inconsistencies in Nigeria’s elections, and work toward a system that inspires trust across party lines.
Addressing public speculation, Amupitan categorically denied claims that he served as legal counsel to President Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) or at the Supreme Court.
“I never appeared at the presidential election tribunal or the Supreme Court,” he said, holding up certified true copies of the legal representation lists from the cases.
He also denied ever representing Peter Obi or the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), distancing himself from any partisan affiliations during the 2023 legal battles.
Amupitan has built a distinguished career in legal academia and public service.
