Amupitan Confirmed as INEC Chairman, Vows Inclusive and Technology-Driven Elections

By Deborah Oladapo

The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking a major transition for Nigeria’s electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan’s confirmation followed a smooth voice vote on Thursday after a screening session during which he outlined his vision for a more inclusive and technologically advanced electoral system. His appointment makes him the sixth substantive head of INEC since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

Before the confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the nominee’s credentials and integrity, noting that reports from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force confirmed Amupitan’s clean record. “You have no known medical or legal blemish, and you come highly qualified,” Akpabio told the chamber.

During the screening, lawmakers questioned Amupitan on INEC’s preparedness for credible elections, with some senators insisting that he respond fully to issues regarding the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

Addressing the Senate, the law professor pledged to prioritise inclusivity in the voting process and strengthen the integrity of elections through technology and civic engagement.

“No voter in Nigeria will be left behind,” Amupitan said. “Even in difficult terrains or insecure regions, we will ensure participation — even if it means deploying drones to deliver election materials. Every eligible Nigerian must have a chance to vote.”

He further promised to establish an Ethics and Compliance Committee within the commission to monitor staff conduct and strengthen institutional accountability. He also revealed plans for a nationwide voter education campaign to rebuild public confidence in the electoral system.

While Amupitan’s confirmation drew applause from many lawmakers, civil society groups expressed caution, urging the new chairman to assert INEC’s independence amid ongoing concerns about political interference.

A former governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Lalong, testified to Amupitan’s character, describing him as “a disciplined scholar and public servant whose integrity has never been in doubt.”

In the wake of his confirmation, religious leaders also weighed in. The National Vice President (South-West) of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, charged the new INEC boss to lead with fairness and moral courage.

“A true umpire must be fearless and just. Integrity must guide his decisions,” Adelakun said during a press conference in Ibadan ahead of his church’s 36th anniversary celebration.

Amupitan’s confirmation follows his earlier endorsement by the National Council of State and nomination by President Bola Tinubu, who described him as an “apolitical professional with a deep understanding of governance and law.”

The new INEC chairman succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who led the commission for two consecutive terms. Since 1999, INEC has been chaired by Justice Ephraim Akpata, Dr. Abel Guobadia, Prof. Maurice Iwu, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and Prof. Yakubu, each leaving distinct legacies in the evolution of Nigeria’s electoral system.

Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, brings over three decades of experience in constitutional, international, and electoral law. His leadership is expected to set the tone for the commission’s preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the broader reforms leading to 2027.

“We will work to restore trust,” he told senators. “Elections must not only be free and fair — they must also be seen to be so.”