President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Gatekeepers News reports that the president’s request was contained in a formal letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
The letter reads, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 154, Subsection 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, 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, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for constitutional deliberation, noting that discussions on the matter would commence as soon as practicable. The referral officially begins the screening and confirmation process for Amupitan in the coming days.
Amupitan’s nomination follows the Council of State’s unanimous endorsement last Thursday, which approved his appointment as head of the nation’s electoral body.
If confirmed by the upper house of assembly, he will succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who concluded his tenure as INEC chairman on October 7, 2025.
