By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday officially swore in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, follows the recent confirmation of the Amupitan by the Senate, solidifying his mandate to oversee the nation’s foremost electoral body.
Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose second and final term recently expired.
In a brief address after the oath of office, Tinubu charged the new INEC Chairman to prioritize institutional reforms and build on the deployment of technology to enhance electoral transparency.
”The mandate of Professor Amupitan is clear: to deepen the credibility of our elections, restore public trust in the process, and ensure that every vote truly counts,” President Tinubu stated.
“The integrity of our democracy rests heavily on the shoulders of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and we expect nothing less than absolute impartiality and commitment to the rule of law.”
The New Diplomat reports that Amupitan, 58, is a renowned academic and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Hailing from Ayetoro Gbede, Kogi State (North-Central), he is an accomplished Professor of Law at the University of Jos, specializing in areas like Corporate Governance and the Law of Evidence.
During his Senate screening, Amupitan pledged to strengthen internal controls within the commission and champion the expansion of technology in electoral processes, promising a new era of efficiency.
