Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and deepen public confidence in the system.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the State House Council Chamber in Abuja, followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s appointment on October 16, 2025.
President Tinubu described the new INEC chairman’s assignment as a “challenging yet rewarding journey,” emphasizing that the credibility of elections remains fundamental to the country’s democratic growth.
“You must serve with integrity, patriotism, and transparency. The strength of our democracy depends on the credibility of our elections,” Tinubu said.
The President highlighted the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, as the first major test of Amupitan’s leadership. He urged the new INEC boss to ensure that the poll reflects the will of the people through a process that is free, fair, and credible.
Tinubu also called for continued innovation and reform in election management, stressing that transparency, inclusivity, and non-violence must guide every phase of the electoral process—from voter registration to the final collation of results.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former university law lecturer, succeeds Mahmood Yakubu, who concluded his tenure earlier this year.