Council of State Approves Amupitan as New INEC Chairman

The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The appointment was confirmed during a meeting of the Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, where President Tinubu presided alongside former heads of state, key governors, and top government officials.

Professor Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned legal scholar, is taking over from the outgoing INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure is coming to an end. His appointment will now be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation as required by law.

Born in Kwara State, Amupitan is a professor of law and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos. He is widely respected for his expertise in constitutional law, electoral jurisprudence, and governance reforms.

During the meeting, the Council expressed confidence that his legal background and integrity would strengthen the commission’s credibility and improve public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Political observers have described his appointment as timely, considering the build-up to the 2027 general elections. They noted that Amupitan will be faced with the challenge of addressing logistical lapses, enhancing technology adoption in voting processes, and ensuring transparency in election results transmission.

The Presidency emphasized that the new INEC leadership is expected to consolidate ongoing electoral reforms, safeguard the independence of the commission, and deepen democratic governance across the country.

Members of the Council also called for continuous voter education, improved collaboration with political parties, and better inclusion of women and youths in the electoral process.

As the Senate prepares for Amupitan’s screening, Nigerians are hopeful that his tenure will mark a new era of credibility and efficiency in the management of elections.