President Tinubu Swears In Joash Amupitan As INEC Chairman

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ceremony took place on Thursday, a week after the Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment on October 16, following a thorough screening process.

While administering the oath of office, President Tinubu urged the new INEC chairman to uphold the credibility of Nigeria’s elections and strengthen the commission’s institutional framework.

The President described Amupitan’s appointment and Senate confirmation as proof of his competence and the trust placed in him by both the executive and legislative branches.

He reminded him that the task ahead would be demanding but rewarding, calling for integrity, dedication, and patriotism.

“As the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, your nomination to the important role and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate is a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arm of government.

“The significant achievement marked the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism.

“Our democracy has come a long way. In 25 years, we have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly our electoral system, through innovation and reforms.

“We have learned a great deal along the way, and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago.

“We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex, multifaceted society.

“The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy, safeguarding the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future.

“To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach. It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible.

“We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow. To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected.

“All aspects of the process, from registration to campaigning, immediate access, voting and counting should be transparent, non-violent and be credible.

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

“I therefore charge you, Professor, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our elections and electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC,” Tinubu said.

Professor Joash Amupitan arrived at the State House on Thursday morning wearing a white agbada and a gold cap.

He exchanged greetings with those present before the ceremony, where he officially assumed duties as the INEC Chairman.

The law professor was accompanied by some presidential aides.

During his Senate screening last week, the 58-year-old was questioned about his plans to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and implement lasting reforms within the commission.

Amupitan, who was nominated by President Bola Tinubu and approved by the National Council of State, takes over from Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose term as INEC Chairman recently ended.

With his appointment, Joash Amupitan becomes the sixth substantive head of the nation’s electoral body since its creation.