Amupitan Assumes Office as INEC Chairman

The newly sworn-in Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), on Thursday, officially assumed office at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan, who becomes the sixth substantive head of the electoral body since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, arrived at the headquarters in the company of family members and close associates.

Earlier in the day, President Bola Tinubu had administered the oath of office to the law professor at the State House, Abuja, a week after the Senate confirmed his nomination following a thorough screening on October 16.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Tinubu urged the new INEC Chairman to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s elections and enhance the commission’s institutional capacity.

"As Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, your nomination and confirmation reflect confidence in your capacity by both the Executive and the Legislature.

"Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. To keep it strong, we must ensure that our electoral process remains free, fair, and credible.

"I therefore charge you, Professor, to protect the integrity of our elections and strengthen INEC’s institutional framework," he said.

Amupitan, dressed in a white agbada and gold cap, arrived at the State House earlier in the morning, exchanging pleasantries with officials and guests before the ceremony.

During his Senate screening, the 58-year-old Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) faced intense questioning from lawmakers on his plans to restore integrity to the electoral process and implement far-reaching reforms within INEC.

In his response, Amupitan vowed to pursue policies that would promote transparency and rebuild public confidence in elections.

"We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored," he said.

The new chairman also dismissed reports linking him to President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, insisting he played no role for any of the parties.

"I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties," he said.

Amupitan succeeds Prof Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman recently came to an end.