Amupitan Sworn In as INEC Chairman, Promises Credible Elections

Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, the newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was on Thursday officially sworn in at the State House, Abuja, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dressed in a white agbada and gold cap, Amupitan exchanged pleasantries with officials and guests ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ceremony marking his formal assumption of office as Nigeria’s electoral chief. He was accompanied by some presidential aides.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Council Chamber, with governors and deputy governors from the 36 states in attendance.

The Senate had confirmed Amupitan’s appointment last week following his screening, where lawmakers probed his plans to restore credibility to the country’s electoral system and implement reforms within INEC.

Amupitan, 58, a professor of Law, was nominated by President Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended. He becomes the sixth substantive chairman of INEC since its establishment.

During his Senate screening, Amupitan pledged to prioritize reforms that ensure transparent elections and build public confidence. He emphasized the need to improve the Electoral Act, address inconsistencies in election timelines, and enhance the credibility of the electoral process.

“We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner, saying, ‘You won fairly and well.’ That is the path to restoring voters’ confidence,” he said.