BREAKING: Senate screens INEC chairman-designate Amupitan

The Nigerian Senate is currently undertaking the screening of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), who has been nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).¹

The screening process is a mandatory constitutional requirement for the confirmation of presidential nominees for high-profile federal appointments.²

Details on the Nominee

• Name: Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN)³
• Origin: Kogi State (North-Central Nigeria)⁴
• Background: Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, where he also serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).⁵ He specializes in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.⁶
• Significance: If confirmed, he will be the first person from the North-Central region of Nigeria to lead the electoral body.⁷ His nomination follows the exit of the former Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.⁸

Context of the Screening

Amupitan’s screening is taking place at a critical time for Nigeria’s democracy, following the contentious 2023 general elections and with the 2027 general elections already on the horizon.⁹ The Senate is expected to focus its questions on key areas of public concern, including:

• Electoral Integrity and Reform: His plans for implementing electoral reforms, including a review of the 2022 Electoral Act, to address the technological and logistical challenges experienced in previous elections.
• INEC’s Independence: His commitment to maintaining the non-partisanship and independence of the Commission, a topic that has generated significant public debate following his nomination by the sitting president.
• Public Trust: How he intends to rebuild public confidence in the electoral system, which many citizens and opposition parties feel has been severely eroded.¹⁰
• Preparations for Off-Cycle Elections: His strategy for managing upcoming state elections, such as the governorship poll in Anambra in 2026, which will serve as an early test of his leadership.

The screening, which is being conducted by the Committee of the Whole, will conclude with a vote by the Senate to either confirm or reject his nomination.