Senate begins screening of Professor Joash Amupitan for INEC Chairman, following nomination by President Tinubu for Nigeria’s top electoral post

INEC Chairman screening commenced on Thursday at the Nigerian Senate, where Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan appeared before lawmakers following his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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The President had earlier transmitted Amupitan’s name to the Senate on Tuesday, requesting legislative approval for his appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Before the screening began, the Senate suspended its standing orders to allow the candidate and guests entry into the chambers.

Present were the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, and members of Amupitan’s family — his wife, Mrs Amupitan, and their children Favour, Marvelous, and Beloved.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the session, advising the nominee to feel comfortable, saying he could request a seat or water if needed.

In a light-hearted remark, Akpabio joked, “We don’t want any incident here — our hospital is not ready yet.”

While addressing lawmakers, Professor Amupitan listed God, hard work, and mentorship as the three guiding forces in his life.

He modestly declined the assertion that he is the first Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Kogi State, reflecting his reserved demeanour during the session.

Amupitan proceeded to read his curriculum vitae, highlighting decades of academic and legal experience, including extensive work in constitutional law and governance.

His nomination has sparked interest from political observers and civil society, given INEC’s central role in electoral credibility.

Support for his nomination has emerged from various quarters, including the Northern Youth Coalition and a faction of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), both of which cited Amupitan’s academic record and legal pedigree.

The Senate is expected to complete the screening process shortly, after which a confirmation vote will be taken.

The position of INEC Chairman is one of the most sensitive in Nigeria’s democratic structure, with the appointee tasked with overseeing the country’s elections, voter registration, and electoral reforms.

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Amupitan’s nomination follows the expiration of the tenure of his predecessor and arrives at a time when electoral integrity remains a central concern among citizens and the international community.