Senate to screen Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman

The Nigerian Senate to screen Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan today for the role of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a transition for the electoral body ahead of 2027 elections.
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The screening follows President Bola Tinubu’s formal nomination of Amupitan, who was endorsed by the National Council of State last week. This appointment comes after Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s decade-long leadership of INEC and arrives amid national debates about the commission’s independence and credibility.
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‎Prof. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and an indigene of the Okun ethnic group in Kogi State, is praised by the Presidency as an apolitical figure with impeccable integrity.
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Political parties and civil society organizations have called for a transparent and rigorous confirmation process to uphold electoral reforms and build confidence in future elections.
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The Northern Nigeria Minorities Group has expressed concern over attempts to politicize Amupitan’s appointment along ethnic lines. In a statement, their convener Chief Jacob Edi urged Nigerians to embrace inclusivity, emphasizing that Amupitan’s selection embodies equity and meritocracy rather than ethnic preference.
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‎President Tinubu, in his letter to the Senate, described the appointment as “in line with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution” and urged for “usual expeditious consideration” to ensure a smooth transition in the electoral body’s leadership.
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