President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the sixth substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During the brief ceremony, President Tinubu charged the new electoral chief to ensure free, fair and credible elections, stating that the upcoming Anambra State governorship election in November 2025 will serve as a litmus test for the new leadership.
Professor Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and law professor with a specialization in electoral law reform, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ran from 2015 to 2025.
The presidential charge is aimed at addressing the national dialogue about the need to rebuild public trust in the electoral process, especially following recent general elections that saw significant post-election legal challenges.
President Tinubu stressed the importance of a transparent system, stating that democracy has come a long way in 25 years but must continually improve. He tasked the new chairman to approach the responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism.
Professor Amupitan publicly vowed to meet the challenge by engaging all stakeholders;
I’m going to defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as far as it relates to the electoral system, and like the President said, I was given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair and free elections – Professor Amupitan
Professor Amupitan assumes office immediately, with preparations for the Anambra State governorship election in November 2025 already underway.
The state poll will be heavily scrutinized by both domestic and international observers as the first indicator of the new INEC leadership’s capacity to deliver elections free from controversy, laying the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
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