Senate Confirms Amupitan as the Sixth INEC Chairman

The Senate has unanimously confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a move celebrated within the chamber but met with sharp criticism from civil society organizations.

The confirmation on Thursday positions Amupitan, a Professor of Law, to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu and become the sixth substantive INEC chairman since 1999. The process proceeded by a voice vote with no objections, following a screening that showcased both support and tension.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio led the praise, stating, “We looked at your résumé. The DSS and Police have both confirmed that you have no criminal record. You have no known medical issues. You are eminently qualified.” Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro described Amupitan’s academic and professional background as “intimidating.”

However, the session faced moments of contention when Akpabio’s attempt to block questions on the BVAS and IReV portals was resisted by lawmakers, including Senator Solomon Adeola, who insisted the nominee must answer all queries.

During his screening, Professor Amupitan made ambitious pledges for his tenure. He vowed that “no voter will be disenfranchised” and promised to deploy technology, including drones, to deliver materials to remote areas. He committed to civic education, fiscal responsibility, and the establishment of an INEC Ethics and Compliance Committee.

In stark contrast to the chamber’s approval, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemned the confirmation as a “travesty.” The group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused the Senate of being a “rubber stamp” and violating its own rules by bypassing the relevant committee.

“This confirmation was not about competence. It was about political calculation,” Onwubiko asserted, alleging the appointment is part of a plot to manipulate the 2027 general elections. He warned that “rigged elections could trigger public unrest” and called on Nigerian youth to resist voter apathy.