Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for his official swearing-in ceremony by President Bola Tinubu.
Amupitan arrived at the State House on Thursday morning, exchanging pleasantries with dignitaries and officials ahead of the event. The event will hold by 1:00 p.m., according to a report by Channels Television.
The swearing-in marks the start of Amupitan’s tenure as INEC chair, one week after the Senate confirmed his appointment following screening on October 16.
During his Senate appearance, the 58-year-old law professor unveiled an ambitious reform agenda aimed at strengthening the independence of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly,’” Amupitan said. “When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored.”
He also pledged to tighten the Electoral Act, remove ambiguities in election timelines, and promote transparency across all levels of electoral management.
Amupitan, nominated by President Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended recently. His appointment makes him the sixth substantive head of INEC since its creation.
Amupitan also dismissed alleged ties to President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court.
“I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any party,” he clarified, emphasizing his neutrality.
Following his swearing-in, Amupitan will assume office immediately and begin the transition process at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
