Senate screens, confirms Amupitan as new INEC chair

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday, confirmed the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Amupitan, a professor of law and senior advocate of Nigeria, succeeded Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who bowed out of the active service, after spending 10 years as chairman of the electoral body.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier sought Senate’s confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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

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.

The Informant247 had earlier reported that Amupitan, was last week Thursday, nominated by president Tinubu, following the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure comes to an end last week after spending ten years in office.

The Council of State unanimously approved the nomination of Amupitan, as the next INEC Chairman.

Tinubu told the council that 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, Tinubu described the nominee as an “apolitical” figure.

Council members, including former heads of state, gave unanimous backing to the nomination. Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi state, also described Amupitan as a “man of integrity”.

After screening at its plenary, the Senate confirmed Prof. Joash Amupitan, who hailed from Kogi, North Central region.

In his statement to the Senate, he pledged to use drones and work with relevant agencies like the National Identity Management Commission to improve the electoral process

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).