Senate screens INEC chairman-designate, Amupitan

The Senate on Thursday began the screening and confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Amupitan, who arrived at the National Assembly earlier in the day, exchanged pleasantries with senators before being accompanied into the chamber by Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries.

He was ushered in around 12:50 p.m. by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and took his seat ahead of the screening.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the nominee, his family, and supporters to the chamber and commended them for their presence. The screening exercise commenced about five minutes later, following Akpabio’s remarks outlining the procedures to be followed.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to replace Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who recently resigned as INEC Chairman. The nomination letter was read by Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary.

Amupitan, a former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, is known for his expertise in constitutional and international law.

His appointment has drawn mixed reactions from civil society groups and political observers, with calls for greater reforms to ensure INEC’s independence and transparency.

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The Senate is expected to question him on his plans for credible elections, institutional reforms within INEC, and the use of technology in future polls.

If confirmed, Amupitan will oversee upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lead preparations for the 2027 general elections.