TINUBU TO NEW INEC CHAIRMAN: “SERVE WITH INTEGRITY AND BEYOND REPROACH”

In a ceremony defined by solemn dignity and national expectation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday swore in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — the sixth to occupy the pivotal role since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

At the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu charged the new INEC boss to uphold the sanctity of Nigeria’s electoral system, stressing that integrity and accountability must guide every action of the commission under his leadership.

“Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government,” the President said. “This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism.”

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic evolution, President Tinubu noted that the nation’s democracy has matured remarkably over the past 25 years, with stronger institutions and significant electoral reforms.

“We have come a long way in consolidating democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms,” he stated. “To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach.”

The President identified the forthcoming Anambra governorship election on November 8, 2025, as a critical test for the new INEC leadership. He emphasized that the poll must reflect transparency, credibility, and public confidence.

“It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible,” Tinubu said. “We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.”

He urged INEC under Amupitan to ensure that every phase of the electoral process — from voter registration to result collation — is transparent, inclusive, and insulated from undue interference.

“No electoral system is flawless,” the President admitted, “but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against artificial setbacks.”

The Man for the Moment

Professor Amupitan, 58, is a respected academic and Senior Advocate of Nigeria whose nomination was confirmed by the Senate on October 16, 2025. He succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served from 2015 to 2025 — a decade marked by significant reforms and challenges in Nigeria’s electoral journey.

During his Senate screening, Amupitan pledged to deepen institutional independence, overhaul operational systems, and rebuild public trust in INEC.

He assumes office immediately — stepping into a position that demands both vision and vigilance at a time when Nigeria’s democracy is under intense public scrutiny.