The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His confirmation followed an extensive screening exercise held in the Senate Chamber on Thursday, during which lawmakers questioned the nominee—put forward by President Bola Tinubu—for about three hours.
After the screening, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a voice vote to determine the chamber’s decision. The motion received unanimous approval, as there was no dissenting opinion. Declaring the confirmation, Akpabio urged the new INEC Chairman to uphold electoral integrity and ensure that votes truly count.
During the screening, Prof. Amupitan clarified that he had never served as legal counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election petition, either at the Tribunal or at the Supreme Court. He noted that available law reports could confirm that he was not part of President Tinubu’s legal team.
Amupitan assured the lawmakers that, once confirmed, he would ensure credible elections where “losers congratulate winners,” thereby promoting national growth and unity. He also pledged to strengthen logistics operations within INEC, introduce measures such as the use of clones to safeguard election materials, and intensify voter education across the country.
The nominee’s session lasted about three hours. Before his appearance, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion under Order 12 to allow him entry into the chamber—a motion seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Senate President Akpabio further revealed that both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had cleared Amupitan. The IGP’s office reportedly conducted a fingerprint search and confirmed that the nominee had no criminal record.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate seeking Amupitan’s screening and confirmation as INEC Chairman, in line with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). In his letter, the President requested that the Senate give the nomination urgent consideration.
The letter read in part:
> “In accordance with the provisions of Section 154 subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The letter included Amupitan’s curriculum vitae and concluded with an appeal for prompt legislative approval. Following this, the Senate referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation, which ultimately led to his confirmation.
