President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The letter was read during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who also presented other presidential communications concerning appointments that require Senate approval.
According to the letter, Tinubu’s request complies with constitutional provisions that require the Senate’s confirmation for such key appointments.
Akpabio said the request has now been referred to the committee of the whole for further consideration.
Professor Joash Amupitan’s name was first presented last Thursday as Tinubu’s choice to fill the leadership position at INEC following the departure of Mahmood Yakubu.
The Council of State has already endorsed Amupitan’s nomination, giving its unanimous approval.
President Tinubu noted that the nominee, who hails from Kogi State in north-central Nigeria, is the first person from the state to be considered for the INEC chairmanship.
According to a statement by the presidential spokesman, Tinubu described the nominee as an “apolitical” figure.
Members of the Council of State, including former heads of state, also expressed full support for his appointment.
Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo praised the nominee as “a man of integrity.”
Amupitan, 58, is a law scholar at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
KanyiDaily recalls that Mahmood Yakubu handed over INEC leadership to May Agbamuche as the Acting National Chairman.
