Professor Joash Amupitan was officially confirmed by the Nigerian Senate as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after his screening on Thursday, 16 October 2025.

The confirmation, which took place at the Senate Chamber in Abuja, came after an extensive screening session lasting about two hours during which lawmakers questioned Professor Amupitan on his vision, integrity, and capacity to lead the Commission.

During his evaluation, Professor Amupitan affirmed his commitment to maintaining the independence of the electoral body in accordance with constitutional requirements, characterising this responsibility as both sensitive and essential.

“It is a delicate issue, but the Constitution says INEC must be independent. If elections are credible, it will be easier to earn the confidence of the people,” he stated.

A Professor of Law, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and indigene of Kogi State, Amupitan, becomes the sixth substantive Chairman of INEC, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who recently completed his tenure.

The screening, chaired by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, extended for more than two hours. Members of the Senate questioned the nominee on critical electoral matters, such as security, logistics, inclusivity, and strategies to enhance voter confidence.

Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South) commended Amupitan’s professional accomplishments and asked about his recommendations for improving the Electoral Act. In response, the new INEC Chairman-designate promised to support reforms that strengthen electoral credibility.

“If given the opportunity, I will contribute to amending inconsistencies in the Electoral Act and act in accordance with court judgments. Our goal is to ensure elections are credible enough that the loser can congratulate the winner,” he said.

Senator Abdul Ningi noted that while Professor Amupitan is not the first academic to lead INEC, what matters most in the role is fairness, patriotism, and commitment to national interest, not merely educational qualifications.

Professor Amupitan responded with, “We will promote political participation and embark on aggressive civic education to confront emerging challenges.”

Questions on election security, logistics, and transparency dominated the session. Senator Mohammed Goje (Gombe Central) sought clarity on his strategy for managing security agencies during elections, while Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) asked about his plans for effective deployment of materials and personnel.

Professor Amupitan said, “Security remains a major challenge, but it can be addressed through collaboration with existing committees. We must also invest in logistics, even if it means using drones to ensure electoral materials are safely delivered.”

Senator Osita Ngwu raised concerns about internal compromise within INEC, asking how the nominee plans to tackle electoral malpractice. Akpabio described it as a crucial question demanding concrete solutions.

“We will establish an internal mechanism to trace procedures and ensure accountability. An ethical committee will audit our processes. We also need an Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute offenders, using forensic methods,” Amupitan replied.

Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) questioned whether Amupitan had previously served on the presidency’s legal team in post-election litigation. The nominee denied the allegation, saying he had no such involvement.

Other senators, including Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) and Mohammed Tahir Monguno, asked about his plans to address voter apathy and local government elections. Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun East) also sought his views on promoting inclusion of women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process.

Responding, Amupitan highlighted the need for comprehensive voter education and legal reforms.

“We can introduce civic education from the primary school level to instil democratic values early. In local government elections, there are calls for INEC to take over, but we must consider whether that will overburden the Commission.

“As for women and PWDs, the time is right for inclusive laws. With collaboration between INEC and NIMC, we can improve data integration and representation,” he said.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) questioned the continued use of university lecturers as returning officers, citing past irregularities, which include adding families to INEC duties.

According to Professor Amupitan, “The commission won’t be biased in discharging its duties. There shall be transparency in all activities.”

However, while the screening was ongoing, Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South) moved a motion to halt the exercise while Senator Victor Umeh was asking a question.

Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West) seconded the motion, and Amupitan was eventually confirmed after further screening.

With his confirmation, Professor Amupitan is set to steer Nigeria’s electoral body into a new era, promising integrity, transparency, and independence in the conduct of elections.

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