The Senate has confirmed Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His confirmation followed a rigorous three-hour screening session at the Senate Chamber on Thursday, where lawmakers questioned the nominee extensively on electoral integrity, logistics, and legal independence.
After the screening, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, called for a voice vote, and the lawmakers unanimously approved Amupitan’s appointment without opposition. Akpabio urged the new INEC boss to ensure that “votes will count” under his leadership.
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While responding to questions, Amupitan clarified that he was never a legal counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 presidential election petition proceedings, from the tribunal to the Supreme Court. He added that all case records were publicly available for verification.
He assured the lawmakers that, if confirmed, his administration would prioritize credible elections where “losers will congratulate winners,” emphasizing transparency, logistics efficiency, and voter education as key focus areas. He also mentioned plans to introduce the use of clones to safeguard election materials.
Before entering the chamber at 12:50 p.m., the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved that Order 12 be set aside to allow strangers into the chamber—a motion seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Senate President Akpabio revealed that Amupitan had been cleared by the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), all confirming that he has no criminal record.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate seeking the screening and confirmation of Prof. Amupitan as INEC Chairman, in line with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The President’s letter read: “In accordance with the provisions of section 154 subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
Tinubu expressed confidence in Amupitan’s capacity to lead the electoral body and urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process — a request which the Senate fulfilled with unanimous consent.