By Lagos Panorama
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), urging him to uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the discharge of his duties.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the State House Council Chamber, Abuja, marks the formal assumption of office by Prof. Amupitan as the sixth substantive INEC Chairman, following his confirmation by the Senate on October 16, 2025. He succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served from 2015 to 2025.
President Tinubu described Amupitan’s appointment as a reflection of confidence reposed in his competence and credibility by both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“Your nomination and subsequent confirmation are a testament to your capacity and the faith the government and people of Nigeria have in you. This appointment marks the beginning of a challenging but rewarding journey. I trust that you will approach your duties with integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” the President said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, President Tinubu noted that the nation had made significant progress in institutional reforms and electoral transparency.
“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly through innovations in the electoral process.
“To sustain this growth, the integrity of our elections must remain beyond reproach. The people must have absolute confidence in the process that determines their leaders,” he said.
The President emphasized that the November 8, 2025 Anambra Governorship Election would be a litmus test for the new INEC leadership, stressing the importance of ensuring free, fair, and credible polls.
“We must continue to improve our electoral system—learning from past challenges while embracing innovation for the future. The credibility of elections depends on transparency across all stages, from registration and campaigning to voting and counting,” he said.
President Tinubu further charged the new INEC boss to safeguard the commission’s independence, strengthen institutional capacity, and build enduring public trust.
Prof. Amupitan, 58, a distinguished academic and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had earlier outlined his vision to reform Nigeria’s electoral process, enhance institutional independence, and restore confidence in the commission.
The new INEC Chairman is expected to assume office immediately.
