President Bola Tinubu has publicly explained his selection of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating the choice was guided by the need for a leader with unimpeachable integrity and proven competence to solidify Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to the report, the President addressed stakeholders to detail the qualities that made Professor Amupitan the preferred candidate to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended.
Commitment to Credibility
While direct quotes are not immediately available from the President’s justification, the report indicated that President Tinubu anchored his decision on Professor Amupitan’s esteemed academic background and a track record free of political partisanship, essential for maintaining the neutrality of the electoral body.
The President’s justification comes after the National Council of State (NCS) unanimously approved Amupitan’s nomination. The strong emphasis on credibility is seen as an attempt by the Presidency to reassure citizens and the political class that the head of the commission will be impartial heading into the 2027 electoral cycle.
Professor Amupitan’s appointment now awaits the final constitutional step of confirmation by the Senate.
