The Senate will today commence the screening of Prof Joash Amupitan, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The planned exercise was confirmed via an official notice issued by Bullah Bi-Allah, Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary, Research and Information, indicating that the session will be held in the Senate chamber.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and respected academic, was recently endorsed by the National Council of State, positioning him as the likely successor to head the electoral commission.
Reacting to the development, former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, urged the nominee to prioritise credibility if confirmed, warning that the conduct of future elections would define his legacy.
"No position is permanent. What matters is doing the right thing, because long after office, one’s actions will be remembered," Obi told journalists in Abuja, wishing Amupitan success while stressing public trust.
Obi also dismissed reasons over recent defections by opposition governors, including Enugu’s Peter Mbah, describing such moves as outcomes of personal political strategy, not a regional takeover.
Meanwhile, a coalition of northern youth organisations and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Senate to fast-track Amupitan’s confirmation.
Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, Aliyu Mohammed, who led the coalition, described the nominee as "eminently qualified" and downplayed claims that his past legal representation of political parties should pose a conflict of interest.
"The Constitution does not prohibit legal practitioners who have served political clients from holding public office. His experience only strengthens his suitability," Mohammed said.
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