President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with a charge to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and strengthen public confidence in democracy.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the State House Council Chamber in Abuja, marked the beginning of what the President described as a “challenging but rewarding journey” for Amupitan, whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate on 16 October.

Tinubu urged the new INEC boss to serve with integrity, patriotism and transparency, emphasising that credible elections remain the foundation of the nation’s democratic progress.

“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years,” the President said. “To ensure it flourishes, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach.”

He identified the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, scheduled for 8 November 2025, as a litmus test for Amupitan’s leadership, stressing the need for free, fair and credible polls.

The President further called for continuous innovation and reform in the electoral system, insisting that transparency and non-violence must guide every stage of the process — from registration to vote counting

Following the swearing-in, Amupitan, 58, proceeded to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja to formally assume office, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended earlier this year.

During his first meeting with INEC directors, Amupitan pledged to uphold integrity, transparency and discipline in the management of the electoral process.

“As we begin this new chapter, I assure you of my commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency and discipline in all our operations,” he said. “INEC has a constitutional responsibility and a statutory mandate to deliver free, fair and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.”

Describing his appointment as divine, Amupitan said his emergence was driven by purpose rather than personal ambition.
“I am here for a purpose. Perhaps if it were left to me, I would not have chosen this path. But from all indications, I can see that God is moving this country, and my coming here is divine. When God says go, who am I to say no? I believe I have a role to play in birthing a new Nigeria,” he said.

He called for teamwork among INEC staff, urging them to leverage their collective skills and experience to strengthen the institution.
“To achieve success, I need the collaboration and teamwork of all staff. The credibility of our elections is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Let us restore public trust and address voter apathy,” he said.

Amupitan highlighted the forthcoming Anambra governorship election as an opportunity for the commission to demonstrate its commitment to free, fair and credible polls.

The new INEC Chairman, who was accompanied by his wife, children, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, and officials of the institution, also pledged to prioritise staff welfare.

“For me, staff welfare will be a priority. We expect a lot from you, and because of that, you deserve to be well equipped and supported to deliver. We will work assiduously to ensure that your working conditions are conducive and that you have the necessary resources to excel,” he said.

Amupitan reaffirmed his determination to pursue reforms that would enhance INEC’s institutional independence and rebuild public confidence in the electoral system.

Earlier in her remarks, the Acting INEC Chairman, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, congratulated Amupitan on his appointment, describing it as both a recognition of his distinguished record as a legal scholar, administrator and patriot, and a call to national service of the highest order.

She said Amupitan was assuming office at a crucial period, as the commission finalises preparations for the Anambra governorship election.

“The task ahead, no doubt, is enormous. Elections are the lifeblood of democracy, and Nigerians’ expectations remain high,” she said.

Agbamuche-Mbu added that Amupitan was not walking into an empty field, as his predecessor, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, had laid a solid foundation for innovation and transparency.

“Under Yakubu’s leadership, the commission recorded landmark achievements — from the introduction of technology-driven processes such as the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, to the strengthening of institutional transparency and voter confidence.

“The foundation has been laid; the path is clear. What lies ahead is the building, the consolidation and the forward march,” she said.

She described Amupitan’s assignment as a herculean national duty that demands sacrifice, patience and unwavering dedication, but expressed confidence in his capacity to deliver.
“I have no doubt that you are equal to the task, given your pedigree,” she said, pledging the cooperation and commitment of the commission’s staff.

Agbamuche-Mbu also thanked the commission and Nigerians for the privilege to have served as Acting Chairman of INEC.

Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, was confirmed by the Senate on 16 October 2025, following his nomination by President Tinubu.

He replaces Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who oversaw significant electoral innovations during his tenure, including the nationwide deployment of the BVAS device and IReV portal, which increased transparency in result management.