The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, appeared before the Senate on Thursday for screening and confirmation.
Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier in the day, where he exchanged pleasantries with senators. He was accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and several dignitaries.
At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and was seated ahead of the commencement of proceedings.
To allow the nominee and his entourage into the hallowed chamber, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion to suspend Order 12, which was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, welcomed Prof. Amupitan, his family members, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence.
Before the nominee began his introduction, Akpabio informed his colleagues that Amupitan had been thoroughly vetted and cleared by relevant security agencies. According to him, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force through the Office of the Inspector-General had all conducted background checks and fingerprint searches, confirming that the nominee had no criminal record.
The screening commenced at about 12:55 p.m. after Akpabio outlined the procedures for evaluating the nominee’s credentials and responses.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier nominated Amupitan to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who resigned from his position as INEC Chairman. The President’s letter conveying the nomination was read on the floor of the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary session.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, Prof. Amupitan is renowned for his expertise in constitutional and international law.
However, his appointment has elicited mixed reactions from civil society groups and political observers, some of whom have called for deeper reforms to enhance the independence and transparency of the electoral commission.
During the screening, senators are expected to focus on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and strategies to expand the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.
If confirmed, Prof. Amupitan will lead INEC in organising upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and preparing the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
