President Bola Tinubu has charged Professor Joash Amupitan, the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthen the institution’s capacity. The directive was given during Amupitan’s swearing-in ceremony at the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s democratic progress since 1999, noting improvements in the electoral system through innovation and reforms. He emphasized the need for free, fair, and credible elections to maintain public trust, stating, “The integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach.” He urged Amupitan to address past challenges, innovate for the future, and ensure transparency in all electoral processes, from registration to vote counting.
Acknowledging that no electoral system is flawless, Tinubu called for resilience to protect against setbacks and strengthen electoral institutions. Amupitan, born on April 25, 1967, from Ayetoro Gbede, Kogi State, and a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, was confirmed by the Senate on October 16 after a rigorous screening.
