By our reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly preparing to nominate Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Amupitan, a respected legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is considered a leading candidate to replace the current chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose term ends in November 2025 after two terms in office.
Amupitan is a professor of law at the University of Jos and has served as legal counsel to prominent politicians, including Senator Dino Melaye, for over ten years. His experience in constitutional and electoral law is seen as an important qualification for the role.
The potential nomination has sparked discussion among political observers and civil society groups. Some welcome his expertise, while others raise concerns about his political connections given his long association with influential figures.
If confirmed, Amupitan will lead INEC during a critical period, overseeing upcoming elections such as the Anambra governorship, FCT area council polls, governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, and the 2027 general elections.
Observers say the new INEC chairman must be impartial and trusted by Nigerians to ensure the credibility of the elections, especially amid growing public doubts about the electoral process.
Civil society organizations like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have called on President Tinubu to make the appointment through a transparent and inclusive process, involving consultation with opposition parties and other stakeholders.
No official statement has been made yet by the presidency regarding Amupitan’s nomination. However, sources say that the process is in its final stages, with necessary vetting and political consultations ongoing.
With just weeks remaining before Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure ends, the choice of his successor will have a significant impact on the future of Nigeria’s elections and democratic process.
