President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, marking a new phase for Nigeria’s electoral body following his confirmation by the Senate on October 16.
During the ceremony, President Tinubu charged the new INEC chairman to uphold integrity and transparency in the conduct of elections across the country. He urged Amupitan to work towards restoring public confidence in the commission and ensure that Nigeria’s electoral process continues to evolve in line with global best practices.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of credible elections in deepening democracy, noting that INEC must remain independent and impartial in its operations. “We must ensure that the voice of the people continues to count. The credibility of our democracy depends largely on the efficiency and fairness of INEC,” the president said.
Professor Amupitan, in his remarks, thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged his commitment to strengthening the electoral system. He promised to build on the reforms already in place, enhance the use of technology in elections, and ensure that future polls are free, fair, and credible.
Amupitan’s appointment comes at a time when Nigerians are calling for more transparency in the nation’s electoral process. His leadership is expected to guide the commission in addressing challenges such as voter confidence, election logistics, and the timely delivery of results.
The ceremony was attended by several top government officials, including members of the Federal Executive Council and senior presidential aides. The swearing-in formally ushers in a new era for INEC under Amupitan’s leadership, with stakeholders expressing optimism about the commission’s direction ahead of future elections.