President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with a charge to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and deepen democratic reforms.
The ceremony occurred at the State House, Abuja, a week after the Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment on October 16 following a thorough screening exercise.
President Tinubu said the new appointment reflects confidence in Amupitan’s capacity to lead one of the country’s most critical democratic institutions.
“Your nomination to this important role and subsequent confirmation by the Senate is a testament to your competence and the confidence reposed in you by both the Executive and Legislative arms of government,” the president said.
Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s democracy has made significant progress in the past 25 years through institutional reforms and innovations and stressed that continuous improvement of the electoral process was vital to sustaining public trust.
“Our democracy has come a long way. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions through innovation and reform. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and diverse society,” he stated.
The President emphasised that electoral integrity remains the foundation of a thriving democracy, and urged Amupitan to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in all aspects of election management — from voter registration to result collation.
“To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected. Every stage of the process — from registration to campaigning, voting, and counting — must be transparent, non-violent, and credible,” he said.
President Tinubu also reminded the new INEC chairman that while no electoral system is perfect, Nigeria must continue strengthening its institutions to make them robust, resilient, and resistant to undue influence.
“I therefore charge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this important national assignment, to protect the integrity of our elections and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC,” he added.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the swearing-in, Professor Amupitan pledged to justify the president’s and Senate’s confidence in him.
He said: “I reaffirm what I have just taken — that I am going to defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as far as they relate to the electoral system. Like the President said, I was given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections. Not just that, I will ensure that is done.”
The new INEC chairman further pledged to work closely with all key actors in the electoral space to achieve the desired success.
“I’m also going to engage all the stakeholders, because no matter how you set the barometer and the level of success, you still need all the stakeholders to be able to succeed,” he stated.
Our Electoral Integrity Not Negotiable, INEC Chair Amupitan Declares
The new INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has declared that the integrity of the nation’s election is not negotiable, as every voter must feel confident that their vote counts.
Amupitan made the declaration when he took over the affairs of the electoral body at the INEC headquarters in Abuja after he was
sworn in earlier by President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Thursday.
The University of Jos Professor of Law, while interacting with directors of INEC, said, “Our mandate is very clear – that is to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people. The integrity of our elections is not negotiable. Every voter must feel confident that their vote counts.”
“I am here for a purpose. Maybe if I had a choice, I would have said I would not come here. But from all indications, I can see that God is moving in this country, and my coming is divine. With God saying go, who am I to say no? I am here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is birthed,” he said.
The new INEC boss assured the commission’s staff that his leadership would prioritise their welfare and professional development, even as he called for teamwork, accountability and commitment to credible elections.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be a priority. We will expect a lot from you, and because of that, you also deserve to be well equipped and supported to deliver. We will work assiduously to ensure that your working conditions are conducive and that you have the necessary resources to excel,” he said
Amupitan also admitted the enormous task ahead, particularly the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, saying the exercise would test INEC’s resolve to uphold credibility and transparency.
He lauded the acting INEC chairman, May Agbamuche-Mbu for her stewardship in the interim period and thanked INEC staff for their dedication to duty.
“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections. The facts may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve. I want to thank you for your commitment, your service, and I look forward to working closely with all of you as we embark on this very, very important mission.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us. We must rise to the occasion and demonstrate that we are capable of conducting elections that meet the expectations of Nigerians. I want to thank you for your commitment, your service, and I look forward to working closely with all of you as we embark on this very, very important mission,” Amupitan added.
In her hand-over remarks, the acting chairman Agbamuche-Mbu informed the new that he was
assuming office at a most crucial time – a period when the commission is at the final stage of preparations for the Anambra state governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
“As we speak, four of our national commissioners are in Anambra State on a Readiness Assessment Visit which is a routine exercise undertaken before every major Election to ensure that all logistics, materials and personnel are fully in place. Their absence here today is in the line of duty and a reflection of the Commission’s commitment to continuous readiness.
“The task ahead, no doubt, is enormous. Elections are the lifeblood of democracy, and the expectations of Nigerians have never been higher. However, you are not walking into an empty field. You are stepping onto the firm and fertile ground laid by your predecessor, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, under whose leadership the Commission recorded landmark innovations; from the introduction of technology-driven processes such as the BVAS and IReV to the strengthening of institutional transparency and voter confidence.
The foundation has been laid; the path is defined. What lies ahead is the building, the consolidation and the forward march.”
She underlined the fact that the task before Professor Amupitan was a herculean national service—one that demands sacrifice, patience, and unflinching dedication, but expressed confidence that he was equal to the task.
Nigeria’s Democracy Can’t Afford Another Electoral Setback — Ex-IPAC chair
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has expressed doubt about President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to guaranteeing the independence of the newly appointed chairman, Amupitan.
The CUPP national coordinator, Peter Ameh, a former national chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), said the coalition remained skeptical of the President’s sincerity in allowing the new INEC helmsman to operate free from executive interference.
Ameh warned that past experiences have shown that government assurances often mask hidden influences that undermine institutional autonomy.
“CUPP remains deeply skeptical of the President’s sincerity in allowing the new INEC helmsman to operate without undue executive interference. History has shown that hollow rhetoric often masks covert influences that compromise institutional independence,” he stated.
He cautioned that any attempt to subvert the commission’s independence would not only betray public trust but also damage the fragile confidence Nigerians are beginning to rebuild in the electoral system.
The coalition urged Professor Amupitan to uphold the rule of law and leverage his academic and professional credentials to deliver credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people.
“We also urge all stakeholders—political parties, the international community, and political actors—to vigilantly monitor INEC’s operations and hold all parties accountable,” the statement added.
Ameh described the appointment of Professor Amupitan as a “rare opportunity” to strengthen the nation’s democracy and etch his name in history, noting that his distinguished qualifications had earned him wide respect across political divides.
“His unparalleled credentials, built through years of diligent scholarship and professional excellence, have earned him the benefit of the doubt from Nigerians. We are optimistic that his expertise will drive reforms that ensure transparent, free, and fair elections, thereby consolidating the foundations of our democracy,” he said.
The CUPP warned that Nigeria’s democracy “cannot afford another setback,” as it urged the new INEC chairman to make his tenure a turning point for genuine electoral reform free from political manipulation.
CISLAC Urges Tinubu to Match Words with Action on Electoral Reforms
For his part, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) programme officer, Gimba Suleiman, welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s public charge to Amupitan to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.
However, he urged the President to go beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to strengthen institutional independence and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
In a phone interview with LEADERSHIP Friday on Thursday in Abuja, Suleiman said that while the President’s words were commendable, they must be backed by tangible reforms and political will.
“For too long, Nigerians have heard similar assurances from successive administrations, yet elections continue to be marred by poor logistics, political interference, vote buying, and weak prosecution of electoral offenders,” he stated.
He said the true test of the President’s sincerity lies in guaranteeing INEC’s operational and financial autonomy, including ensuring that the Commission’s budget is released directly, on time, and free from executive manipulation.
“True integrity in elections will not come from speeches but from creating a system where no political actor—including the ruling party—can influence INEC’s decisions or appointments,” he added.
CISLAC also urged the electoral body to rebuild public trust by strengthening internal accountability mechanisms, improving transparency in result transmission, and engaging citizens more openly.
“The Commission should not only appear neutral but must act and be seen as such in every election cycle,” Suleiman said.
He stressed that protecting Nigeria’s electoral integrity must go beyond words, calling for genuine reforms that uphold the Constitution, respect the will of the people, and ensure that institutional independence outlives any administration.
“Electoral integrity cannot thrive on promises; it thrives on political courage, transparency, and the independence of institutions,” he added.
INEC Chair Has No Excuse to Fail, Says Political Scientist
Dr. Christian Okeke, a political science lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, has said that the new chairman of INEC, Professor Ojo Amupitan, has no excuse to fail in restoring integrity to Nigeria’s electoral process following the public charge given to him by President Bola Tinubu.
In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Friday, Dr. Okeke said the President’s open demand for electoral integrity from the new INEC chairman has placed full responsibility on Professor Amupitan to deliver credible and transparent elections.
“The President has made an open demand on safeguarding the integrity of elections in the country from the INEC chairman, and the whole world heard him. It is left for Amupitan to do with it whatever he wishes, but he should know that the public charge—no matter the interpretation anyone gives to it—actually came to save him, and I count him a lucky man,” he stated.
He explained that the President’s public statement had effectively shielded him from political pressure and given him the moral cover to act independently.
“If he fails to restore integrity in our elections, the President will exonerate himself, after all, he openly demanded that from him. So Amupitan has no excuse to fail but should rather justify the seeming confidence reposed in him by the President and implement his charge,” he said.
The university don advised Professor Amupitan to treat the President’s words as a constant reminder of his duty to the nation.
“Let the chairman frame and hang the charge both in his office and bedroom as a Book of Commandments and a constant reminder that he has no excuse to fail. If he does that, he can at any time point to it when anyone approaches him to compromise an electoral outcome,” he added.
Charge is timely – Group
For its part, the Women in Leadership Development Initiative (WIELD-I) has described President Bola Tinubu’s charge to the new chairman as both timely and essential for strengthening democracy and restoring citizens’ trust in the electoral process.
The coordinator of WIELD-I, Comrade Amarachi Okeke, said that electoral integrity forms the foundation of inclusive governance and emphasized the need to ensure that women—who constitute a significant portion of the electorate—are confident that their voices and votes truly count.
She urged the new INEC leadership to prioritise transparency, gender inclusion, and accountability in electoral administration, ensuring that future elections not only reflect the will of the people but also promote women’s political participation and leadership.
“The new INEC chairman must ensure that electoral reforms advance gender equality and uphold Nigeria’s commitment to the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in governance,” the statement read in part.
The group added that building a credible and inclusive electoral system is vital to deepening democracy and achieving sustainable national development.
