President Bola Ahmed Tinubu President charges Amupitan to ensure credible, transparent polls as he assumes office
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to serve with unwavering integrity and uphold the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held yesterday at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that Amupitan’s first real test as the nation’s chief electoral umpire would be the forthcoming November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
The president described Amupitan’s appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Senate as a reflection of his competence, experience, and the confidence reposed in him by both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“Your nomination and the confirmation that followed are a testament to your capacity and the trust the government places in your ability to deliver. This marks the beginning of a challenging but rewarding journey. I urge you to approach your duties with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.
The president noted that Nigeria’s democracy had evolved steadily since 1999, with significant progress in strengthening institutions and reforming the electoral system. He stressed that maintaining the integrity of the electoral process remained critical to sustaining the nation’s democratic journey.
“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years,” Tinubu stated. “We have consolidated our democratic institutions and improved our electoral processes through reforms and innovations. As we move forward, we must continue to uphold the principles that define democracy in a diverse and complex nation like ours.”
He underscored that credible elections remain the cornerstone of democracy, allowing citizens to determine their leaders and shape the country’s future. “To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach,” he said.
Tinubu also warned that the upcoming Anambra governorship election would serve as a critical measure of Amupitan’s leadership at the electoral body. He urged the new INEC chairman to ensure transparency and fairness at every stage of the process, from voter registration to ballot counting.
“It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must continually improve our electoral system, addressing past challenges and innovating for today and the future. To maintain public confidence, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process, registration, campaigns, media access, voting, and results, must be transparent, non-violent, and credible,” the president declared.
Acknowledging that no electoral system is perfect, Tinubu emphasized the need for continuous improvement and institutional resilience. “Elections are vital to a nation’s destiny. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against artificial setbacks,” he added.
The president concluded by charging Professor Amupitan to safeguard the independence of INEC and protect the sanctity of Nigeria’s democratic process. “I, therefore, charge you, Professor Amupitan, to defend the integrity of our elections and reinforce the institutional capacity of INEC,” Tinubu said.
Professor Amupitan, a 58-year-old Senior Advocate of Nigeria and law scholar, pledged to uphold the constitution and the laws governing Nigeria’s elections. In his remarks after the ceremony, he expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and promised to pursue electoral reforms that would restore public trust in the commission.
“I will defend the constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they relate to the electoral system,” Amupitan assured. “The president has given me a clear mandate to ensure credible, free, and fair elections, and I will not disappoint. I intend to work closely with all stakeholders because the success of our elections depends on collective commitment and collaboration.”
Amupitan’s swearing-in followed his confirmation by the Senate on October 16, 2025. He succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025.
With his assumption of office, expectations are high that Amupitan will bring a new era of reform and credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process, beginning with the high-stakes Anambra governorship election that will test both his leadership and the strength of the country’s democratic institutions.
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