Dare Babalola
The Senate has commenced the screening of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan for appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Amupitan, who arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier and exchanged pleasantries with Senators, was accompanied to the chamber by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries which include the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, the candidates wife, Mrs Amupitan, and three children namely, Barrister Favour Amupitan, Marvelous Amupitan and Beloved Amupitan.
Recall that on Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu transmitted the name of the candidate for screening and confirmation.
Before Amupitan began reading his profile, the Senate suspended its relevant rules to admit the candidate and other strangers in his entourage into the chambers.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, asked Amupitan to take the stand and advised that he could sit down or ask for water during the course of the screening.
While reading his profile, Amupitan said that three things influence him in life, which he listed as God, hardwork and mentorship.
He declined that he is privileged first Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Kogi State.
Tinubu had nominated Amupitam, a Professor of Law from the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan, is widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law.
His appointment has, however, generated mixed reactions from civil society groups and political stakeholders, with some calling for reforms that will strengthen the independence and transparency of the electoral body.
The screening session is expected to focus on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and measures to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.
If confirmed by the Senate, Amupitan will oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
