Professor Joash Amupitan Arrives Presidential Villa for Swearing-In as INEC Chairman
The newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), arrived at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday morning for his official swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu.
Dressed in a crisp white agbada and gold cap, Amupitan exchanged greetings with dignitaries and senior officials ahead of the ceremony, which took place at the Council Chamber of the State House.
His visit follows a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment on October 16, after an intense screening session.
During his appearance before lawmakers, the 58-year-old law professor from the University of Jos shared his vision for reforming Nigeria’s electoral process. He emphasized his commitment to strengthening INEC’s independence and rebuilding public trust in the country’s elections.
“We must reach a point where even those who lose elections acknowledge that the process was fair,” Amupitan told the Senate. “That is when true confidence in our democracy will return.”
Amupitan also pledged to champion amendments to the Electoral Act, addressing flaws in election timelines and improving transparency at every stage of the process.
Nominated by President Tinubu and approved by the National Council of State, Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, becoming the sixth substantive INEC Chairman since the commission was established.
A respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Amupitan is known for his depth in constitutional and international law.
He used his Senate screening to clear the air on rumors linking him to Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 presidential election petitions, firmly stating,
“I never represented any party before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court. My role remains that of a neutral professional committed to fairness.”
Following Thursday’s swearing-in, Professor Amupitan is expected to assume duties immediately at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, where he will hold his first official meeting with the commission’s directors as part of the transition process.
