President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the sixth substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to uphold the highest standards of integrity and fairness in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The ceremony, held on Thursday at the State House Council Chamber in Abuja, marked a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic journey. The President described Amupitan’s appointment and Senate confirmation as a reflection of his competence and the confidence reposed in him by both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“Your nomination and confirmation are a testament to your capacity and the trust placed in you. This significant appointment marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey,” Tinubu said, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. “I expect you to approach your responsibilities with integrity, dedication, and patriotism.”
The President acknowledged the progress Nigeria has made in deepening democratic governance since 1999, stressing the need to further strengthen institutions and ensure credible elections. “Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years,” he said. “We must remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society.”
Tinubu described the electoral process as the foundation of democratic governance and charged Amupitan to safeguard its integrity. He said the upcoming Anambra governorship election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, would be a major test of the new INEC leadership’s readiness and credibility.
“It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible,” he said. “We must continuously improve our electoral system, ensuring transparency from registration to vote counting. Electoral integrity must be protected at all stages.”
The President emphasized that although no system is perfect, the credibility of elections determines the strength of any democracy. He tasked Amupitan with strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity and ensuring the commission remains resilient and independent.
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“The assignment before you is clear,” Tinubu added. “Protect the integrity of our electoral process, strengthen INEC’s capacity, and safeguard our democracy against setbacks.”
Amupitan, who succeeded Prof. Mahmood Yakubu after his decade-long tenure from 2015 to 2025, pledged to deliver credible, free, and fair elections while defending Nigeria’s Constitution.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the swearing-in, the 58-year-old law professor said he was fully aware of the weight of his mandate. “The President has given me a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections,” he said. “I will not only ensure this but also engage all stakeholders, because no system succeeds in isolation.”
Amupitan also reaffirmed his commitment to reforming the electoral process, restoring public trust, and ensuring INEC’s independence. His oath of office was administered during the National Economic Council meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima and attended by state governors and key cabinet members.
The new INEC boss, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and respected academic, has been described as a reform-minded scholar committed to strengthening democratic institutions and advancing credible elections in Nigeria.
