Senate Screens Prof. Joash Amupitan as New INEC Chairman
By Dayo Adesulu | TheCheer News
The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, on Thursday appeared before the Nigerian Senate for his official screening and confirmation as head of the nation’s electoral umpire.
Prof. Amupitan Appears Before the Senate
Dressed formally and calm in demeanor, Prof. Amupitan arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier in the day, exchanging pleasantries with lawmakers before proceeding to the Senate chamber. He was accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, alongside several dignitaries and family members.
At exactly 12:50 p.m., he was ushered into the Senate chamber by Senator Abubakar Lado, the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate). The nominee’s presence was formally approved after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion to suspend Order 12 — a rule that restricts entry of non-legislators into the hallowed chamber. The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Akpabio Confirms Security Clearance
Welcoming Prof. Amupitan and his delegation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio applauded the nominee’s professional pedigree and the strong turnout of supporters in the Red Chamber. He also confirmed that the nominee had been cleared by all major security agencies before appearing for screening.
“He has been cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser after proper vetting and fingerprinting. The Department of State Services (DSS) also confirmed he has no security issues. Similarly, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police found no criminal record against him,” Akpabio told the chamber.
Following these disclosures, the Senate President invited the nominee to introduce himself and present his vision for the commission.
A Legal Scholar and Advocate of Electoral Reforms
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier transmitted Prof. Amupitan’s nomination letter to the Senate, which Akpabio read during Tuesday’s plenary. Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the same institution.
He is well known in academic and legal circles for his depth in constitutional and international law and has published extensively on governance, democracy, and the rule of law in Africa.
However, his nomination has drawn mixed reactions from civil society organizations and political observers, with some hailing his academic excellence, while others insist that deeper institutional reforms are needed to guarantee INEC’s independence and transparency.
Focus of the Screening Session
Thursday’s screening centered on Amupitan’s plans to:
- Enhance electoral credibility and transparency;
- Strengthen institutional independence within INEC;
- Expand the use of technology in voter registration, transmission, and result collation;
- Restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Senators are expected to grill him on strategies for credible elections, staff capacity-building, and digital transformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What Lies Ahead
If confirmed, Prof. Amupitan will immediately assume office as the new INEC Chairman, succeeding Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who resigned recently. His tenure will begin at a critical juncture, as Nigeria prepares for several off-cycle governorship elections and major electoral reforms.
Amupitan’s leadership is expected to shape how Nigeria conducts elections in the coming decade—particularly in promoting fair play, voter education, and electoral integrity.
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