…pledges to conduct credible, transparent elections
The newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), has pledged to deliver free, fair, and credible elections, assuring Nigerians that under his leadership, “losers will have every reason to congratulate winners.”
Amupitan made the remark on Thursday during his screening and confirmation by the Senate, following his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The session lasted over three hours, with senators grilling him on electoral reforms, neutrality, and the credibility of Nigeria’s voting process.
Presiding over the plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Amupitan’s confirmation after a unanimous voice vote, saying: “He is hereby confirmed without any dissenting voice. Go and ensure that votes count.”
In his address to lawmakers, Amupitan promised to lead INEC with transparency and accountability, adding that credible elections remain the foundation of a stable democracy.
“My vision is to ensure that elections in Nigeria are so transparent that even those who lose will congratulate the winners. That is the level of credibility we must achieve for national progress,” he declared.
The new INEC boss pledged to strengthen voter education, improve logistics, and deploy advanced technology to prevent result manipulation and protect electoral materials.
Amupitan also addressed reports alleging that he had served as legal counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal or at the Supreme Court. He described the claims as false and easily verifiable.
“The law reports are public and verifiable. I was not part of any legal team representing any political party or candidate,” he clarified.
Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved a motion to suspend Order 12 to admit Amupitan into the chamber, seconded by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South). He appeared before the chamber at 12:50 p.m., presented his credentials, and answered questions on electoral management and reform.
Before the screening, Akpabio disclosed that Amupitan had been cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force, all confirming that he had no criminal record.
President Tinubu had earlier, in a letter read by Akpabio, requested the Senate to confirm Amupitan in line with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The letter read in part: “In accordance with the provisions of Section 154 subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
A Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Amupitan has held several distinguished academic and administrative positions in Nigeria’s legal and educational sectors.
His confirmation marks a new chapter in INEC’s leadership, raising public expectations for improved electoral credibility and strengthened democratic governance across the country
