The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and seasoned law academic, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Amupitan’s confirmation followed a rigorous two-hour screening on the Senate floor on Thursday, during which he addressed concerns about the integrity and independence of Nigeria’s electoral system. His appointment marks the end of the tenure of Mahmood Yakubu, who officially stepped down on October 7, 2025, after leading the commission through two election cycles.
Commitment to Electoral Integrity and Technology Reform
During his screening, Amupitan, who currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, pledged to safeguard the independence of INEC and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, he emphasized the pivotal role of technology in ensuring transparency but acknowledged that the misinterpretation of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal had led to widespread confusion.
“I believe what happened in 2023 was assumed as a glitch,” he said.
“Based on Supreme Court decisions, it became clear that IReV was never intended to be an electronic collation system. That was not well communicated before the election. The IReV was designed as a safeguard for comparison—not a replacement for manual collation.”
Amupitan also announced plans to initiate a comprehensive audit of INEC’s technological infrastructure to guarantee its reliability ahead of future elections. He assured lawmakers that he would collaborate with other relevant agencies to strengthen election credibility.
Clarification on Political Neutrality
Responding to growing public speculation, Amupitan categorically denied claims that he had been part of President Bola Tinubu’s legal team during the post-election litigation in 2023.
“I was never part of President Bola Tinubu’s legal team in court,” he stated firmly. “I was not a member of any team—PDP, APC, or Labour.”
The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny over his perceived political neutrality. Some critics had mistakenly linked him to Tinubu’s legal defense team—a role that was, in fact, played by another SAN, Professor Taiwo Osipitan.
Senate Endorsement and Approval
Following his remarks, Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South) moved a motion for the nominee to “take a bow and go,” a tradition reserved for candidates of high distinction. The motion was seconded by Senator Olamilekan Solomon (Ogun West).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently conducted a voice vote, and Amupitan’s nomination was unanimously approved by the chamber.
“The nominee answered questions from distinguished senators and took away written submissions as a working document on topical electoral issues,” Akpabio noted.
“Accordingly, the Senate hereby approves the nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
A New Chapter for INEC
With a blend of academic depth and legal expertise, Amupitan’s appointment is seen as a pivotal moment for INEC as it prepares for upcoming off-cycle elections and broader electoral reforms.
As he steps into the role amid high expectations and public scrutiny, Amupitan’s leadership will be tested on how effectively he can implement technological reforms, assert INEC’s independence, and rebuild trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
