President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the name of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to the Senate for confirmation as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The nomination follows the unanimous approval of Prof. Amupitan’s appointment by the National Council of State, paving the way for his confirmation by the National Assembly.
Prof. Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law at the University of Jos and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is set to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ended in October 2025.
In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read during plenary on Tuesday, President Tinubu stated that the nomination was made in accordance with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Attached is his curriculum vitae, while hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment of the nominee in its usual expeditious manner,”the President wrote.
In his remark after reading the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for legislative consideration and further action.
If confirmed, Prof. Amupitan will oversee the nation’s electoral body at a critical time, with major off-cycle elections — including the Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for November 2025 — already on the horizon.
