Prof. Joash Amupitan INEC Chairman to be sworn in next week as Nigeria prepares for the pivotal Anambra governorship election on November 8

Prof. Joash Amupitan INEC Chairman is poised to officially assume office next week following his Senate confirmation, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s electoral process.

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Multiple senior officials at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that Amupitan’s swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu is expected to take place during the next Federal Executive Council meeting — a tradition that formally ushers in the new chair.

Once sworn in, Amupitan is to immediately resume duties at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Signs of the transition are already visible within the commission. Several insiders reported the presence of his personal staff on-site, indicating readiness for a swift assumption of office.

Though no official date has been announced, anticipation within INEC is high. Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, told The PUNCH that the commission is prepared to welcome Amupitan at any moment.

“We are expecting him but there is no information on when he will officially assume office,” she said.

A distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Jos and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, 58-year-old Amupitan was confirmed by the Senate last Thursday following a rigorous screening process.

His appointment replaces that of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended. In the interim, May Agbamuche-Mbu has served as Acting Chairman.

INEC is currently in the final stretch of preparations for the November 8 Anambra State governorship election, a key test for the new Chairman’s leadership.

In Awka on Tuesday, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, assured the public of INEC’s operational readiness.

He stated that all non-sensitive materials had already been distributed, while sensitive materials would arrive under tight security.

“INEC is fully prepared for the upcoming Anambra governorship election. The level of readiness is both practical and measurable,” Olumekun affirmed.

Permanent Voter Cards from the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise are now available for collection from October 22 to 26. Olumekun urged voters to collect their cards early to ensure a smooth voting process.

At a stakeholder forum, Olumekun also addressed the threat of misinformation, calling on media professionals to uphold truth and verification in their reporting.

Meanwhile, Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr Elizabeth Awgu confirmed that logistics had been fine-tuned for seamless polling across the state, including riverine communities.

“Materials will leave the CBN state headquarters on Thursday afternoon. There will be no late arrival of materials,” she assured.

Polling is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with INEC reaffirming that voters on the queue before closing will not be disenfranchised.

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As the commission prepares to usher in Prof. Joash Amupitan INEC Chairman, the focus now turns to whether his tenure will deliver the integrity, innovation, and confidence Nigeria’s elections desperately need.