President Bola Tinubu has charged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system, stressing that credible elections remain the foundation of any thriving democracy.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Thursday after administering the oath of office, Tinubu described Amupitan’s appointment — confirmed by the Senate a week earlier — as a vote of confidence in his competence and integrity.
“I urge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment, to protect the integrity of our elections and the institutional capacity of INEC. I wish you success as you prepare for your first major assignment in November 2025 — the Anambra State governorship election,” the President said.
Tinubu noted that Amupitan’s nomination and confirmation were proof of his credibility and professionalism, adding that the role ahead would demand integrity, patriotism, and hard work.
“This marks the beginning of a challenging but rewarding journey. I trust you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” he said.
The President reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, saying the country’s electoral process had evolved through reforms, innovation, and lessons from past experiences.
“Our democracy has come a long way. We’ve strengthened our institutions, particularly the electoral system. To ensure our democracy continues to flourish, the credibility of our elections must be beyond reproach,” Tinubu said.
While acknowledging that no electoral process is perfect, the President stressed that transparency and fairness must be maintained at all stages — from registration to results collation — to sustain public trust.
“Elections safeguard the people’s right to choose their leaders and determine their future. We must continually improve the process, fixing the flaws of yesterday and innovating for the needs of today and tomorrow,” he added.
Tinubu also urged Amupitan to promote transparency, inclusivity, and non-violence in all future polls.
Speaking after the swearing-in, Professor Amupitan pledged to uphold the Constitution and work with all stakeholders to ensure credible elections.
“I’ve just taken the oath of allegiance as INEC Chairman, and I reaffirm my commitment to defend the Constitution and the laws of Nigeria as they relate to our electoral system. Like the President rightly said, I have a clear charge — to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, and that I will do,” he said.
Read Also;
New INEC chair pledges free, fair, credible polls
Amupitan added that collaboration with political parties, civil society organisations, and security agencies would be a top priority for his administration.
“No matter how well a system is designed, it can only succeed with the cooperation of all stakeholders,” he noted.
Professor Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman since 2015 — the longest tenure in the commission’s history.
He officially took the oath of office at 1:50 p.m. at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in the presence of top government officials and dignitaries.
