The Senate on Thursday commenced the screening of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Tinubu had earlier transmitted a formal letter to the Senate seeking the confirmation of Amupitan, a professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State. The letter, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, stated that the nomination complied with constitutional provisions requiring Senate approval for such appointments.
Last week, the President presented Amupitan’s name as his preferred candidate to fill the vacancy created by the exit of former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.
The Council of State had earlier given unanimous approval to the nomination, with President Tinubu describing Amupitan—an indigene of Kogi State—as an “apolitical figure and a man of integrity.”
Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State also endorsed the nominee, commending his reputation for transparency and competence.
Amupitan, aged 58, is the first person from Kogi State to be nominated for the role of INEC Chairman.
