President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate’s confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The request was contained in a letter read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session. The President also transmitted several other communications seeking legislative approval for key federal appointments.
In his letter, President Tinubu said Amupitan’s nomination was made in line with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and urged the lawmakers to give the appointment their “usual expeditious consideration.”
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the letter stated.
The President enclosed the nominee’s curriculum vitae for Senate review and concluded by extending his “highest regards” to the Senate leadership.
Responding, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for consideration “as soon as practicable.”
In a separate correspondence, President Tinubu also sought the Senate’s approval for the appointment of Mrs. Ayo Omidiran as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, alongside 28 others as Federal Commissioners — including Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara State.
Recall that the National Council of State had earlier unanimously endorsed Amupitan’s appointment during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, last Thursday.
The appointment follows the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s 10-year tenure as INEC Chairman in October 2025.
According to Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Amupitan — a 58-year-old Professor of Law from Kogi State — becomes the first person from Nigeria’s North-Central region to be nominated for the position since the creation of the electoral body.
“In compliance with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu has transmitted Professor Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation,” Onanuga’s statement added.
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