President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, marking the formal assumption of office for Amupitan. This appointment comes following the expiration of the tenure of the former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, ushering in a new era of leadership for Nigeria’s primary electoral body.
Amupitan’s journey to the INEC leadership began with his confirmation by the Senate. Last week, the Senate confirmed his nomination after a thorough screening session and a voice vote by lawmakers. Ahead of this crucial session, the nominee was accompanied to the State House by significant dignitaries, including the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo. Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the nominee and assured the chamber that Amupitan had successfully passed all required security clearances before the confirmation exercise.
During the Senate screening, lawmakers focused their inquiry on Amupitan’s vision for the future of Nigeria’s elections. Senators specifically questioned him on critical areas such as his strategies for ensuring credible and transparent polls, plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and how he intends to deepen the integration of technology into the national electoral process. These questions underscore the high expectations placed on the new chairman to address longstanding issues and enhance the integrity of elections.
The formal swearing-in by President Tinubu concludes the appointment process and places Amupitan at the helm of the commission responsible for organizing and overseeing elections across Nigeria. As the new INEC Chairman, his mandate is to implement necessary reforms, utilize technological advancements effectively, and uphold the constitutional duties of the commission to ensure free, fair, and credible elections for the nation.
