Dare Babalola
President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the name of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan to the Senate for confirmation as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the unanimous approval of Amupitan’s nomination by the National Council of State.
Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law at the University of Jos and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is expected to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ended in October 2025.
In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Tuesday, Tinubu said that the confirmation of the INEC chairman was in accordance with the provisions of section 154, subsection 1 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the senate the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as Chairman of Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Attached is his curriculum vitae, while hoping that the senate will consider and confirm the appointment of the nominee in his usual expeditious manner.
“Please accept, distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration,” he said.
Akpabio, in his remark after the reading of the letter, referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative input.
