Tinubu Requests Senate Approval for Amupitan as INEC Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to screen and confirm the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the substantive Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday. Mr Tinubu’s nomination follows the expiration of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as INEC Chairperson last week.
“In accordance with provisions of Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Attached is his curriculum vitae,” the letter read.
The president further appealed for quick legislative action, saying, “While hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment of the nominee in its usual expeditious manner, please accept, distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
After reading the letter, Mr Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee of the Whole for consideration “as soon as practicable.”
Professor Amupitan, a law professor at the University of Jos and specialist in Company Law, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law, was appointed last Thursday after ratification by the National Council of State.
If confirmed, he will become the 13th substantive INEC Chair since independence, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who led the commission from 2015 to 2025.
While civil society organisations have welcomed the nomination, they have urged the Senate to ensure a transparent and merit-based confirmation process.
