Tinubu swears in Amupitan as new INEC Chairman

President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ceremony took place on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, marking the formal beginning of Amupitan’s tenure as Nigeria’s electoral chief.

Amupitan, who was screened and confirmed by the Senate last Thursday, arrived at the Presidential Villa on Thursday morning dressed in a white agbada and gold cap. He was seen exchanging pleasantries with guests and aides before the event, which was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The professor of law was accompanied by several presidential aides.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Council Chamber of the Villa, attended by governors and deputy governors from all 36 states.

Amupitan’s swearing-in came a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment following a rigorous screening session on October 16. During the screening, the 58-year-old academic was questioned extensively on his plans to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral system and push for significant reforms within the commission.

Amupitan, nominated by President Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended. His appointment makes him the sixth substantive head of INEC since its creation.

While addressing the Senate during his screening, Professor Amupitan pledged to prioritise electoral reforms that would ensure transparency and strengthen public confidence in election results. He also emphasised the need to improve provisions in the Electoral Act to fix inconsistencies in election timelines and processes.

“We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored,” he said.

Amupitan also dismissed reports linking him to President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, stating that he neither represented the President nor appeared for any of the opposing parties. “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties,” he clarified.

Following his swearing-in, the new INEC Chairman is expected to assume office immediately and begin the transition process at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.