Tinubu swears in Amupitan, charges him on credible polls

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday swore in Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the sixth substantive chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to ensure credible, transparent and fair elections across the country. The brief swearing-in ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with top government […]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday swore in Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the sixth substantive chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to ensure credible, transparent and fair elections across the country.

The brief swearing-in ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with top government officials in attendance.

Speaking shortly after administering the oath of office, President Tinubu charged the new INEC chairman to serve with integrity and uphold public confidence in the nation’s electoral system.

“Your nomination and subsequent 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.

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“This marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism.”

Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s democracy had grown considerably since 1999, with strengthened electoral institutions and reforms. He, however, stressed that the integrity of elections must remain sacrosanct.

“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our institutions, particularly through electoral reforms,” he said. “The integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach, as it gives citizens the power to choose their leaders and shape their future.”

 

‘Anambra election a litmus test’

The president said the November 8 Anambra governorship election would serve as a litmus test for the new INEC leadership, urging Amupitan to demonstrate independence and fairness.

“It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible,” Tinubu said.

“To maintain public trust, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process, from registration to voting and counting, should be transparent, non-violent and credible. No electoral system is flawless, but it must be continuously strengthened to safeguard democracy. I, therefore, charge you, Prof Amupitan, to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.”

Amupitan’s swearing-in followed his confirmation by the Senate on October 16. He succeeds Prof Mahmood Yakubu, whose 10-year tenure as INEC chairman ended earlier this month.

 

Amupitan pledges integrity, teamwork and credible polls

Addressing State House correspondents after the ceremony, Amupitan pledged to defend the Constitution and work with all stakeholders to deliver credible elections.

“Like the President said, I was given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair and free elections,” he said.

“I’m going to engage all stakeholders because, no matter how high you set the bar, success requires collective effort.”

At the INEC headquarters in Abuja later in the day, Amupitan assured staff of his commitment to transparency, teamwork and professionalism. “It is with immense gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that I assume office as chairman,” he said.

“Our mandate is clear: to deliver free, fair and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.”

He described the upcoming Anambra governorship election as a crucial test of his leadership.

“The election represents an opportunity for us to show our dedication to credible polls. The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion,” he said.

The new INEC boss also promised to prioritise staff welfare, saying, “We are going to expect so much from you, and because of that, your welfare will be a key priority. We’ll work to ensure a conducive environment and better conditions of service.”

Outgoing acting chairman, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, who handed over to Amupitan, described the transition as a moment of continuity and renewal.

She congratulated him on his appointment, saying it was “a recognition of his distinguished record as a legal scholar, administrator and patriot.”

She noted that preparations were in top gear for the Anambra poll, with four national commissioners already in the state for a readiness assessment. She also commended former chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu for reforms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof Tanko Ishaya, who attended the swearing-in, described Amupitan as “a true Nigerian, de-tribalised, selfless and deeply committed to national service.”

He praised Tinubu for appointing “a man of integrity and proven competence” and urged the new chairman to focus on electoral technology, logistics and voter education.

“We must improve civic education so that voters understand their roles and responsibilities in the process,” Ishaya said. “Professor Amupitan is a legal luminary and scholar whose integrity and transparency are unquestionable. I have no doubt he will deliver credible, transparent elections.”

Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, takes over as INEC chairman at a defining moment for Nigeria’s electoral system, as the nation prepares for the Anambra governorship election in November 2025 and the 2027 general election.

 

Resumption with wife, children raises eyebrows

Meanwhile, the appearance of the wife and children of the new INEC chairman at the commission’s headquarters on his first day of work has continued to generate public discussion. While many described it as a personal and harmless gesture, others have raised concerns about the sensitivity of his position and the potential security risks involved.

Observers noted that while it was not out of place for family members to accompany a public official on a significant day, the visibility of the INEC chairman’s family could expose them to unnecessary attention and possible danger, given the high-stakes nature of Nigeria’s electoral process.

Amupitan’s family had also accompanied him to the Senate during his screening and confirmation, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio personally identified and recognised them individually before the plenary. The public recognition, which drew warm applause from lawmakers, was seen by some as an unusual departure from the tradition of maintaining family privacy among electoral chiefs.

In contrast, former INEC chairmen such as Prof Mahmood Yakubu and Prof Attahiru Jega kept their families away from the public eye throughout their tenure. Yakubu, in particular, was known for his discretion, reportedly keeping his family within the confines of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) residence in Kaduna for the entire duration of his 10 years as INEC chairman.

Yakubu, who was a lecturer at the NDA before his appointment, was said to have prioritised anonymity and security for his family, a move some security experts believe helped him maintain focus and protect his loved ones from potential political or public backlash.

Analysts say Amupitan may need to strike a careful balance between openness and discretion as he settles into office, given that his position will inevitably attract intense public scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general elections.