Tinubu Swears in Amupitan as INEC Chairman, Urges Integrity Ahead of Anambra Poll

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday officially sworn in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the sixth substantive chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a ceremony at the State House, Abuja. The President charged Prof. Amupitan to serve the nation with unwavering integrity and to be beyond reproach in executing his responsibilities.

The swearing-in followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s appointment on October 16, after a rigorous screening process. Appointed to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended in 2025, Amupitan, a 58-year-old law professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was nominated by President Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State.

President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s 25 years of democratic governance since 1999, noting significant progress in strengthening institutions, particularly the electoral system through innovations and reforms. He emphasized that the electoral process remains a vital pillar of democracy, granting citizens the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape the country’s future. The President underscored the necessity for electoral integrity to be beyond reproach to sustain and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

Recognizing the approaching Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, as a crucial litmus test for the new INEC leadership, President Tinubu urged Prof. Amupitan to ensure the elections are free, fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful. He tasked the new INEC chairman to protect the electoral process from manipulation while continually strengthening the commission’s institutional capacity.

At his Senate screening, Prof. Amupitan outlined his reform plans, prioritizing the strengthening of the Electoral Act, addressing election timeline inconsistencies, and rebuilding public trust in INEC. He emphasized the goal of conducting elections that command respect even from losers, thereby restoring voters’ confidence in the democratic process.

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Preparations for the Anambra governorship election are already underway, with an updated voter registry of approximately 2.82 million registered voters. INEC has reaffirmed its commitment to credible and transparent polls, deploying upgraded technologies such as enhanced Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems to improve voter accreditation and electronic result transmission, while ensuring robust security and media collaboration.

Prof. Amupitan immediately assumed office following the ceremony and started his transition at INEC headquarters in Abuja, pledging to lead the commission with patriotism and dedication to democratic principles. This new leadership comes amid urgent public calls for transparency and a fiercely independent electoral body immune to political manipulation.

The swearing-in of Prof. Amupitan marks a new chapter for Nigeria’s electoral process, with widespread hopes placed on his ability to deliver credible elections that will sustain the country’s democratic gains and strengthen public trust in INEC’s role as the guardian of electoral integrity