The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His confirmation followed a rigorous three-hour screening session on Thursday at the Senate chambers, during which lawmakers questioned President Bola Tinubu’s nominee on various issues related to the integrity and independence of the Commission. Amupitan answered each question, clarifying his positions and past roles.
After the screening, the Senate moved into a Committee of the Whole. Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the nomination to a voice vote, which passed without opposition. “He has been approved without any dissenting voice,” Akpabio declared, urging Amupitan to ensure that future elections reflect the will of the people, where “votes will count.”
During the screening, Amupitan addressed concerns about his political affiliations, stating categorically that he was never legal counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 presidential election petition process, either at the tribunal or at the Supreme Court. He encouraged the Senators to consult the official law reports to verify this.
Amupitan pledged to lead an electoral body that fosters transparency and credibility, promising that under his leadership, elections would be conducted in a manner where “losers will congratulate winners”—a sign, he said, of democratic maturity. He also committed to improving logistics and introducing safeguards such as using clones (duplicates) of sensitive materials to protect against electoral fraud, alongside aggressive voter education initiatives.
Before the screening began, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) invoked Order 12 to allow Amupitan into the chamber. His motion was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Introducing the nominee, Senate President Akpabio informed his colleagues that Amupitan had passed all necessary security checks. He was vetted and cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector General of Police, who confirmed he had no criminal record following a fingerprint search.
President Tinubu had earlier sent a formal request to the Senate seeking Amupitan’s confirmation, in line with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The letter, read by Akpabio on the Senate floor on Tuesday, included Amupitan’s curriculum vitae and urged prompt consideration.
“In accordance with the provisions of Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the President’s letter read.
With the Senate’s approval now secured, Professor Amupitan officially assumes the leadership of INEC, with a mandate to strengthen electoral integrity and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
