By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday administered the oath of office to Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), charging him to prioritize and staunchly defend the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the State House, Abuja, followed the unanimous approval of Amupitan’s nomination by the National Council of State and his subsequent confirmation by the Senate.
In his charge to the new electoral boss, Tinubu underscored the critical role of INEC in the nation’s democracy, describing the electoral process as the very “lifeblood of democracy.”
The President also insisted that the credibility of elections must remain “beyond reproach” to sustain public trust.
He said: “I, therefore, urge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this assignment, to protect the integrity of our elections and the electoral process and the institutional capacity of INEC, and I wish you success on your first assignment in November 2025, which is the governorship election of Anambra state.
“As the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, your nomination and confirmation are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you.
“This marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism.
“Our democracy has come a long way. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly our electoral system. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach.
“Elections safeguard the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future.
“We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.”
Shortly after the ceremony, Amupitan told reporters that he would uphold the Constitution and engage all stakeholders in the pursuit of credible elections.
“I’ve just taken the oath of allegiance and the oath as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. I reaffirm my commitment to defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they relate to the electoral system. Like the President said, I have been given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections, and that I will ensure,” he said.
