President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the unanimous endorsement of the National Council of State during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Amupitan, 58, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose ten-year tenure ended on Tuesday. Tinubu described the Kogi-born scholar as “apolitical, upright, and of impeccable character,” adding that his nomination marked the first time someone from Kogi State would head the commission.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Tinubu would forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Amupitan’s appointment has drawn mixed reactions across the political spectrum. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) praised the decision, saying it was based on merit and expressing confidence that he would strengthen ongoing electoral reforms. However, opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), urged him to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process through transparency, neutrality, and reform.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, cautioned Amupitan to remain loyal to Nigerians, not political interests, noting, “He has the opportunity to write his name in gold or soil his record with infamy.” PDP youth leader Timothy Osadolor similarly urged the new chairman to resist political pressure and carry out internal cleansing within INEC.
Legal experts, including Senior Advocates Kemi Pinheiro, Lekan Ojo, and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, also advised Amupitan to uphold the rule of law, ensure transparent elections, and digitise INEC’s operations to improve efficiency and credibility.
Amupitan, a renowned academic with over three decades of legal experience, has authored several works on corporate governance and evidence law. If confirmed, he will become Nigeria’s 15th INEC chairman, inheriting the enormous task of rebuilding confidence in the nation’s democratic process.
