Professor Joash Amupitan’s appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) marks the beginning of a major leadership test, as he assumes responsibility for an institution grappling with low voter confidence, electoral controversies, and public demand for credible elections.

The Kogi-born academic was appointed following the National Council of State’s unanimous endorsement during its meeting at the State House in Abuja. He succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose decade-long tenure ended earlier in the week.

President Bola Tinubu said his choice of Amupitan was influenced by the latter’s integrity, non-partisan character, and strong record of public service. According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also highlighted that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, to occupy the position.

Council members, including past and present leaders, commended the nomination, describing Amupitan as a man of exceptional integrity. Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, praised him for his “commitment to justice, scholarship, and national service.”

With the council’s approval, the President is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation in line with constitutional requirements.

Aged 58, Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. A professor of law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, he currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.

Political Reactions

Political parties have urged the new INEC chairman to restore public confidence through transparency, neutrality, and deep institutional reform.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) cautioned Amupitan to remain loyal to Nigerians rather than political interests. Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, advised him to uphold independence and integrity.

“We expect the new INEC chairman to have the ambition to do better and restore confidence in the electoral system. His loyalty must be to the Nigerian people, not the government,” Abdullahi said, expressing cautious optimism in Amupitan’s appointment.

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on him to embark on internal restructuring and pursue comprehensive electoral reforms to rebuild trust in the commission.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, expressed confidence in his competence and neutrality. The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described Amupitan’s selection as merit-based, noting that he is expected to “add value to ongoing electoral reforms and enhance the impartiality of the commission.”

Opposition Leaders Set Agenda

Opposition figures, including the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), also reacted to the development.

Obi, through his media aide Dr. Yunusa Tanko, urged Amupitan to begin his tenure with a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s electoral framework. He also advised the new chairman not to succumb to political pressure despite being appointed by the President.

“The agenda should start with electoral reform. He must ensure his actions align with the law and resist any attempt to manipulate the process,” Obi said, adding that Nigerians would closely monitor his performance.

NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, called on Amupitan to learn from the lapses of the 2023 elections and focus on strengthening institutional transparency.

“He should assess how far the commission has gone and immediately begin preparations for the next elections. It is crucial that he defines his agenda early and ensures his officers understand his vision,” Johnson stated.

Governors React

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, described Amupitan as a “towering intellectual, strategic thinker, and detribalised patriot” whose work has contributed significantly to national development.

In the same vein, Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, hailed the appointment, describing Amupitan as a “renowned legal scholar and administrator whose integrity and depth will strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.”

Criticism of Yakubu’s Tenure

Reacting to the end of Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure, PDP chieftain Bode George criticised the former INEC chairman for what he described as missed opportunities to modernise the electoral system.

George said Yakubu’s handling of the 2023 elections would remain a burden on his legacy, urging Amupitan to learn from his predecessor’s mistakes. “Whatever he sows, he shall reap. He should think about what will be said after his tenure,” George cautioned.

Legal Experts Urge Integrity and Reform

Senior legal practitioners have called on Amupitan to safeguard the commission’s independence and rebuild public faith in the electoral system.

Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) described him as “resourceful, prudent, and thorough,” urging him to see his new role as a national call to duty. “He must ensure votes count and elections remain transparent,” Pinheiro said, warning him to ignore online distractions and maintain focus on credible results.

Former NBA Lagos Chairman, Lekan Ojo (SAN), noted that Amupitan’s elevation as the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria to head INEC placed an extra burden on him to uphold transparency and integrity. “He must make Nigerians believe in the process again,” he said.

Human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) identified political interference and administrative inefficiencies as Amupitan’s greatest challenges. He advised the new INEC boss to collaborate with the National Assembly to amend weak sections of the Electoral Act and push for full digitisation of electoral operations.

“When people see that the process is credible and the umpire neutral, they will have no reason to go to court,” Adegboruwa stated.

Profile of the New INEC Chairman

Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Law from the University of Jos, after earlier studies at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014.

An accomplished academic, Amupitan has authored several books, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Principles of Company Law (2013).

Beyond academia, he has served on various boards, including Integrated Dairies Limited, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and the Council of Legal Education.

Married with four children, the Kogi-born scholar is widely regarded as a disciplined jurist and administrator of quiet influence. Upon Senate confirmation, he will become Nigeria’s 15th Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.