The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has appointed former Punch Editor, Adedayo Oketola, as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).
Naijaonpoint reports that Oketola takes over from Rotimi Oyekanmi, who served in the role under former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
INEC, in a statement on Monday, described Oketola as a seasoned newsroom leader with nearly two decades of professional experience in news reporting, business journalism, and editorial management.
During his tenure as Editor of Punch, the paper won the coveted Newspaper of the Year award at the 2023 Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA), while Oketola was named Editor of the Year at the same event.
He previously served as News Editor, Business Editor, and Assistant Editor (News & Politics) of Saturday PUNCH. He also won The Industry Awards’ Editor of the Year (2022) and is a two-time Zimeo Excellence in Media Award winner in Johannesburg (2015) and Nairobi (2016).
Speaking shortly after his swearing-in, Amupitan reiterated his commitment to integrity, transparency, and discipline in the management of Nigeria’s elections.
“I am here for a purpose. Maybe if I had a choice, I would have said I would not come here. But from all indications, I can see that God is moving this country, and my coming is divine. With God saying go, who am I to say no? I am here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is birthed,” he said.
He stressed that teamwork, accountability, and credible elections would be the hallmark of his administration.
“Our mandate is very clear, to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people. The integrity of our elections is not negotiable. Every voter must feel confident that their vote counts,” Amupitan declared.
The INEC boss also pledged to prioritise staff welfare and provide the resources needed to ensure excellence.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be a priority. We will expect a lot from you, and because of that, you also 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 added.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]