The Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His confirmation came after a voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following a screening session where Amupitan responded to various questions from lawmakers.
Earlier in the day, the INEC boss-designate arrived at the National Assembly complex, exchanging pleasantries with senators before the session began. He was accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, along with other dignitaries.
At about 12:50 p.m., Amupitan was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and took his seat ahead of the exercise. The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion to suspend Order 12 to allow visitors into the chamber — a motion seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Senate President Akpabio welcomed Amupitan and his entourage, acknowledging their presence and confirming that the nominee had been vetted and cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force, with no criminal records found.
During the screening, lawmakers focused their questions on Amupitan’s plans for credible elections, institutional reforms within INEC, and his strategies for strengthening the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.
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After deliberations, the Senate unanimously approved his appointment through a voice vote.
With his confirmation, Professor Amupitan — a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos — will now take over from Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. He is expected to lead INEC’s preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and begin laying the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier nominated Amupitan for the position in a letter read by Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary.
Amupitan, known for his expertise in constitutional and international law, is widely respected in Nigeria’s legal and academic circles.
