Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to uphold the principles of free, fair, and transparent elections.
The president emphasised the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral institutions and align processes with global best practices.
Tinubu administered the oath of office during an expanded National Economic Council meeting at the State House Council Chambers, Abuja.
The president tasked Amupitan with protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity.
”It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.”
”To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process, from registration to campaigning, voting, and counting, should be transparent, non-violent, and credible.”
”No electoral system is flawless. But since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against artificial setbacks.”
Tinubu emphasised aligning Nigeria’s electoral processes with international best practices.
”I therefore charge you, Prof. Amupitan, to take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our elections and strengthen INEC’s institutional capacity,” he added.
Speaking after the ceremony, Amupitan pledged to engage stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and credible elections across the country.
”Like the President said, I was given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections.”
”Not just that, I will ensure that that is done, I’m also going to engage all the stakeholders. Because no matter how you set the barometer and the level of success, you still need all the stakeholders to be able to succeed.”
It can be recalled that Amupitan’s appointment followed unanimous approval by the National Council of State, after President Tinubu’s nomination and Senate confirmation.
Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, hails from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014, specialising in company law, evidence, corporate governance, and privatisation law.
As INEC Chairman, Amupitan’s immediate tasks include the Anambra governorship election in November and the FCT Area Council elections in February 2026.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas attended the ceremony.
Other dignitaries included Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, House Leader Julius Ihonbvere, SGF George Akume, Head of Service Didi Walson-Jack, and several ministers.
