President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This ceremony formalises Amupitan’s assumption of office, which comes one week after the Senate confirmed his appointment following a thorough review on October 16.
Addressing the new head of the electoral body, Tinubu emphasised the critical need to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and reinforce INEC’s institutional capabilities.
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The President noted that Amupitan’s nomination and subsequent confirmation by the legislature reflect the confidence placed in his ability.
He stressed that while this marks the start of a demanding role, he trusts Amupitan will approach it with the utmost dedication, integrity, and patriotism.
“After 25 years, our democracy has matured, with significant improvements and reforms to our electoral process,” Tinubu stated.
He insisted that the nation must adhere to the foundational principles of democracy, especially in a diverse society.
The President described the electoral process as fundamental to democracy, securing the populace’s right to choose its leaders.
To maintain a thriving democracy, he declared that the electoral system’s integrity must be “beyond reproach,” ensuring all elections are free, fair, and credible.
Tinubu urged the new Chairman to relentlessly enhance the electoral process, learn from past challenges, and innovate for the future.
He emphasised that protecting electoral integrity is paramount to maintaining public trust, requiring transparency, non-violence, and credibility across all stages, from voter registration to counting.
Acknowledging that no electoral system is perfect, the President asserted that because elections are vital to the country’s future, electoral institutions must be continually fortified to be “robust, resilient and safeguarded against official setbacks.”
He charges Amupitan to focus on protecting the election’s integrity and strengthening the commission.
Amupitan, who arrived at the State House wearing a traditional white agbada and a gold cap, was accompanied by presidential aides for the morning ceremony.
The 58-year-old Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, becomes the sixth substantive individual to lead the electoral commission.
During his Senate screening last week, senators pressed the Professor of Law on his strategy to restore public confidence and implement meaningful electoral reforms.
Amupitan, whose candidacy was backed by the National Council of State, promised lawmakers that his priority would be to ensure transparent polls.
He stated his intention to focus on strengthening the Electoral Act to eliminate inconsistencies in election timelines and promote credibility.
His ultimate goal is to hold elections “where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well,’” which he believes will naturally restore voters’ confidence.
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He also took the opportunity to dispel reports linking him to the President’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, confirming that he did not represent the President or any opposition candidate, thus affirming his neutrality.
He is expected to begin his work at the Abuja headquarters immediately.
