Amupitan Arrives Aso Rock For Swearing In As New INEC Chairman

Newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, arrived at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday morning for his formal swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu.

The ceremony, scheduled for 1:00 p.m., will officially begin his tenure as Nigeria’s chief electoral officer.

Amupitan appeared at the State House dressed in a white agbada and gold cap, exchanging greetings with dignitaries and guests present for the event. His visit to the Villa comes a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment on October 16, following a thorough screening process that reviewed his credentials and vision for electoral reform.

During his screening, the 58-year-old professor of law presented his plans to rebuild public trust in the electoral system, strengthen INEC’s institutional independence, and ensure that elections in Nigeria are free, fair, and credible. He also vowed to push for reforms that would clarify ambiguities in the Electoral Act and improve transparency in election timelines and procedures.

Amupitan, who was nominated by President Tinubu and approved by the National Council of State, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC chairman recently ended. His appointment marks him as the sixth substantive head of the electoral body since its creation.

The new chairman has faced scrutiny over reports linking him to Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court. He dismissed the claims as false, stating that he never appeared before the tribunal or the Supreme Court on behalf of any political party, insisting on his neutrality and independence.

Once sworn in, Amupitan is expected to proceed to INEC headquarters in Abuja to begin the handover and transition process. His tenure begins at a time when expectations are high for electoral reform and the restoration of public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.