President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Nigerian Senate, seeking the confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The request was formally read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday.
According to the communication from the Presidency, the nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates Senate confirmation for appointments into key national offices. The request has been referred to the Committee of the Whole for legislative consideration and screening in the coming days.
President Tinubu, in his letter, described Professor Amupitan as an apolitical technocrat with an impressive record of academic excellence and moral integrity. The President had last Thursday presented Amupitan’s name as his preferred choice to fill the leadership vacuum created by the exit of former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
The nomination received the endorsement of the National Council of State, which comprises former Presidents, Heads of State, and key political leaders. The Council, after deliberations, gave unanimous approval for Amupitan’s appointment, describing it as a positive step towards strengthening electoral credibility and transparency in Nigeria.
Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State also hailed the nomination, expressing pride that Professor Amupitan, a native of the state, would be the first Kogi indigene to occupy the position of INEC Chairman since the establishment of the commission. “He is a man of integrity, discipline, and proven administrative competence. His nomination is a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity,” Ododo said.
Professor Joash Amupitan, 58, is a renowned Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, where he currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). Over the years, he has contributed significantly to legal education, constitutional development, and national discourse on good governance.
The Senate is expected to commence screening in the coming days, and if confirmed, Amupitan will assume leadership of Nigeria’s electoral body at a critical period ahead of several off-cycle governorship elections and ongoing electoral reforms. His appointment, many observers say, will be a test of the Tinubu administration’s promise to uphold free, fair, and credible elections.