Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to confirm Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The request was read on the Senate floor during a plenary session on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who also presented other presidential communications concerning appointments that require legislative approval. According to the President’s letter, the nomination complies with constitutional provisions that mandate Senate confirmation for such positions. The matter has been referred to the committee of the whole for further consideration.
The nomination follows President Tinubu’s proposal of Professor Amupitan at the Council of State meeting last Thursday, where it received unanimous approval from council members, including former heads of state. Professor Amupitan, a 58‑year‑old law professor at the University of Jos, will fill the leadership vacancy at INEC left by Mahmood Yakubu. The President described him as an “apolitical” figure, and Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo endorsed him as a “man of integrity.” Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State to be nominated for the INEC chairmanship, a development seen as significant.
Professor Amupitan’s background includes serving as Deputy Vice‑Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, in addition to his academic credentials. The Senate’s deliberation on his nomination is a crucial step in the appointment process, and the outcome will be closely watched. His confirmation is viewed as a major move toward ensuring continuity in INEC’s functions as the commission prepares for future elections, with the Senate’s decision poised to shape the body’s ability to conduct free and fair elections in Nigeria.
Comments are closed for this story.