President Bola Tinubu has officially submitted a request to the Senate for the confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as for the approval of Commissioners for the Federal Character Commission (FCC). The request was formally communicated in a letter read aloud by Senate President
President Bola Tinubu has officially submitted a request to the Senate for the confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as for the approval of Commissioners for the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
The request was formally communicated in a letter read aloud by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the Senate floor on Tuesday, October 14. In addition, the Senate President presented other official correspondence from the President requesting legislative approval for various appointments.
Akpabio stated that the request was made according to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that Senate confirmation is required for appointments to major federal offices, such as the leadership of the electoral body.
Professor Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law from Kogi State, was nominated to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who completed his 10-year tenure in October 2025.
President Tinubu requested Senate confirmation for Mrs. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) and for 28 additional commission members in a separate letter.
The President had earlier, through his spokesperson Mr. Bayo Onanuga, announced the nomination of Mrs Omidiran, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the new FCC Chairperson, as well as other appointees to steer the affairs of the commission.
The correspondence states that Mohammed Musa has been appointed as the Commission’s Secretary, and Kayode Oladele will continue to serve as Commissioner representing Ogun State. The President also renewed the appointments of Lawal Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Bunu (Kebbi), and Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun) for another term.
The newly appointed Commissioners include:Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa), Obongawan Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Hon. Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra), Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River), Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna), Hon. Anas Isah (Katsina), Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi), Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara), Alh. Isah Jibrin (Niger), Comrade Ajimudu Bola (Ondo), Prince Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye (Oyo), Hon. Pam Bolman (Plateau), Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers), Alh. Aminu Tambar (Sokoto), Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba), Hon. Jibir Maigari (Yobe), Sani Garba (Zamfara), and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).
Others are Hon. Obina Oriaku (Abia), Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi), Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue), Engr. Modu Mustapha (Borno), Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta), Barr. Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi), Hon. Chief Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo), Hon. Sola Fokanle (Ekiti), Peter Eze (Enugu), Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe), Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo), and Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano).
However, the nominations are part of the administration’s broader effort to fill strategic leadership positions across key federal institutions and ensure continuity in governance and oversight.
President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the screening and confirmation processes to enable the new officials to assume their responsibilities without delay.
The Senate committees responsible for screening are expected to commence legislative action soon, with further details on the confirmation process anticipated in the coming days.
