Senate Confirms Prof. Amupitan As INEC Chairman

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He is set to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the 6th substantive Chairman of INEC.

This followed his screening by lawmakers at the Committee of the whole which lasted for three hours in the Senate Chambers of the National Assembly, Abuja.

During the screening, Amupitan responded to critical questions from senators revolving around conduct of elections, integrity of elections, results transmission electronically, administration, policy, amendment of the 2022 Electoral Act as well as Electoral offences among others.

It will be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had last week sent a request to the Senate seeking the confirmation of the University of Jos Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joash Ojo Amupitan as new INEC chairman following the expiration of tenure of Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

After the confirmation of the INEC Chairman, Senator Simon Bako Lalong presided over the screening of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner

Dr. Tella Adeniran Rahmon, a nominee from State Osun who last served in Oyo State.

Lalong while introducing the nominee to his colleagues said he was renominated for another tenure by President Bola Tinubu having served creditably.

Members asked him questions on Electoral management, transparency, technology and problems on the field.

The nominee responded and said there were issues that INEC had made progress and others that need to be worked upon such as equipment and human errors, electronic transmission of results, stakeholder  engagement, distribution of materials and security among others.

He pledged to work with the new INEC Chairman if confirmed to ensure that Nigeria has a better Electoral system.