President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with a charge to serve with integrity and remain above reproach in the discharge of his duties.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s nomination on October 16. He succeeded Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ran from 2015 to 2025.
Addressing the new INEC boss, President Tinubu said his appointment reflected confidence in his competence and character, urged him to uphold transparency and strengthen public trust in the electoral process.
“Your nomination and confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and legislative arms of government,” the President said. “This marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism.”
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s democracy had made significant progress over the past 25 years through institutional reforms and innovation in the electoral process. He, however, stressed the need for continuous improvement and vigilance to maintain public confidence in elections.
“The integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach,” he said. “It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral system, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.”
The President also described the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election on November 8, 2025, as a litmus test for the new INEC leadership, urged Amupitan to ensure that the exercise reflect the will of the people.
In his remarks after taking the oath, Prof. Amupitan pledged to reform the nation’s electoral system, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public trust in the Commission.
The 58-year-old legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) officially assumes office immediately.
