The Senate has officially confirmed Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan SAN as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This decision followed a thorough screening session that lasted three hours, during which Senators posed various questions to the nominee.
After the screening, Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the approval, noting that there were no dissenting voices against Amupitan’s nomination. He encouraged the new chairman to work towards ensuring that elections are conducted fairly, where losers will graciously congratulate the winners.
During his responses, Amupitan clarified that he was never a legal counsel for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Electoral Petition. He assured the Senate of his commitment to conducting elections that promote growth and development in Nigeria.
Amupitan emphasized plans for improved logistics and aggressive voter education to safeguard electoral materials. He had been previously vetted and cleared by various security agencies, including the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, and Inspector-General of Police, confirming he has no criminal record.
President Bola Tinubu had submitted Amupitan’s nomination to the Senate, seeking a swift confirmation in accordance with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.
