By The Editor
The National Council of State has unanimously approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The endorsement came during a council meeting held at the State House, Abuja, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of Amupitan as his preferred candidate to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure concluded in October 2025 after nearly a decade at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body.
President Tinubu, while introducing the nominee, emphasized Amupitan’s reputation as a distinguished legal scholar and an “apolitical” professional. He also noted that this is the first time someone from Kogi State, in the North-Central geopolitical zone, has been nominated for the INEC chairmanship.
Council members from across party lines unanimously backed the nomination, signaling broad national consensus. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State described the nominee as a man of integrity, commending his legal expertise and dedication to public service.
In line with constitutional provisions, the President will now transmit Amupitan’s nomination to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Prof. Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He currently serves as Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos (UNIJOS). A holder of a PhD in Law, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014.
Prof. Amupitan has authored several scholarly works in constitutional and human rights law and is widely respected in both academic and legal circles.
His confirmation by the Senate would mark a significant step in the preparation for Nigeria’s future elections, as he would be expected to bring legal rigor and institutional reform to the nation’s electoral process.
