Senate to screen new INEC chair Amupitan, Thursday

The Senate will on Thursday screen Professor Joash Amupitan, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The announcement was contained in a circular issued on Wednesday by the Director of Information of the Senate, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, and made available to journalists in Abuja.

The development comes less than 24 hours after Tinubu’s letter seeking Amupitan’s confirmation was read on the Senate floor by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

According to the circular, the screening will take place in the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly Complex.

The statement read, “The Office of the Secretary, Research and Information wishes to notify members of the Press and the general public that the Senate will on Thursday, 16th October, 2025, conduct the screening of the nominee of President Bola Tinubu, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, as INEC Chairman.

“The exercise is scheduled to hold at the Senate Chamber, National Assembly Complex. Members of the Senate Press Corps are kindly requested to provide their usual media coverage and support to ensure adequate dissemination of information to the public.

“Similarly, television stations are expected to extend the usual courtesies of providing live coverage of the event.”

Amupitan’s nomination, endorsed last week by the National Council of State, marks a major transition for the electoral body following the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu after a decade as INEC chairman.

In his letter to the Senate, Tinubu said the appointment was made in line with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and urged lawmakers to grant it their “usual expeditious consideration.”

“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the President said.

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Amupitan’s nomination comes amid renewed debate over INEC’s independence and credibility following the 2023 general elections.

While the presidency described him as “an apolitical figure of impeccable integrity,” opposition parties and civil society groups have urged the Senate to ensure a transparent and rigorous confirmation process.

Thursday’s screening is expected to draw nationwide attention as it could shape the tone of future electoral reforms and test the administration’s commitment to credible polls ahead of 2027