The newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), on Thursday morning arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for his official swearing-in ceremony by President Bola Tinubu.
Naijaonpoint reports that Amupitan, dressed in a flowing white agbada and gold cap, exchanged pleasantries with dignitaries and officials ahead of the ceremony, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Council Chamber of the State House.
Amupitan’s visit comes a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment following a rigorous screening on October 16.
During his appearance before lawmakers, the 58-year-old professor of law at the University of Jos outlined his plans to reform Nigeria’s electoral process, strengthen INEC’s independence, and restore public confidence in elections.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored,” Amupitan told senators.
He also promised to push for reforms to the Electoral Act, closing loopholes in election timelines and enhancing transparency.
Amupitan, nominated by Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended. His appointment makes him the sixth substantive INEC chairman since the commission’s creation.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Amupitan, is widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law.
Amupitan also used his screening to dismiss speculation about his alleged ties to Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court.
“I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties,” he insisted, stressing his neutrality and independence.
Following his swearing-in, the new INEC chairman is expected to immediately assume office and commence the transition process at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where his first official meeting with directors has already been scheduled.
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