THE newly sworn-in Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has pledged to uphold Nigeria’s electoral laws and defend the Constitution in the discharge of his duties.
Speaking with journalists shortly after his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, today, Amupitan said the President had given him a clear directive to ensure credible, free, and fair elections across the country.
“I have just taken the oath of allegiance and the oath of office as Chairman of INEC. I reaffirm my commitment to defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly those relating to the electoral system,” he said.
The new chairman added that he would work closely with stakeholders to achieve credible electoral outcomes.
“No matter how you measure success, it requires the involvement of all stakeholders,” he noted.
Amupitan, however, declined to comment on the forthcoming Anambra election, saying he would do so after receiving briefings from national commissioners.
Earlier in the day, President Tinubu administered the oath of office, charging Amupitan to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Commission.
“Your nomination and confirmation reflect the confidence both the Executive and Legislature have in your ability,” Tinubu said. “Our democracy has matured over 25 years. To keep it strong, our elections must remain free, fair, and credible.”
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and professor of law, faced rigorous questioning during his Senate screening on October 16, where he promised to restore public trust in the electoral system through transparency-driven reforms.
“We must reach a point where even the loser congratulates the winner, acknowledging that the process was fair,” he said during the session.
He also dismissed reports linking him to President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 presidential election petitions, clarifying that he had no involvement with any of the parties in the tribunal or Supreme Court.
With his swearing-in complete, Amupitan becomes the sixth substantive INEC chairman since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
His tenure begins with the crucial task of consolidating electoral credibility and strengthening democratic institutions.