Tinubu Seeks Senate’s Confirmation of Amupitan as INEC Chairman

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of Mr Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The request was read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Mr Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday.

Mr Akpabio also read other communications from the President regarding appointments that require legislative approval.

According to the letter, the nomination is in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, which mandates Senate confirmation for such appointments.

The request has been referred to the committee of the whole for further legislative consideration.

Last Thursday, the President presented Mr Amupitan’s name as his preferred nominee to fill the leadership vacancy at the electoral commission.

The Council of State unanimously approved the nomination of Mr Amupitan as the next INEC Chairman, following the exit of Mr Mahmood Yakubu.

President Tinubu told the council that Mr Amupitan, an indigene of Kogi state in the north-central geopolitical zone, is the first person from the state to be nominated for the role of INEC chairman.

According to a statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr Tinubu described the nominee as an “apolitical” figure.

Council members, including former heads of state, gave unanimous backing to the nomination.

Also, the Governor of Kogi State, Mr Usman Ododo, described Mr Amupitan as a “man of integrity”.

Mr Amupitan, 58, is a professor of law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau state, where he also serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (administration).

If confirmed, Mr Amupitan will be in charge of the electoral body ahead of upcoming off-cycle elections, including the governorship polls in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun States before the 2027 general elections.