President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said he appointed Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission because of his neutrality, integrity, and outstanding record of service.
In a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga “President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.”
The President made the remark at the State House in Abuja during a meeting of the National Council of State, by which he unanimously approved the nomination of Professor Amupitan to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose ten-year tenure as INEC Chairman concluded on Tuesday.
Tinubu informed council members that Professor Amupitan, a law scholar from Kogi State in North-Central Nigeria, is the first individual from the state to be nominated for the nation’s top electoral position.
Council members, comprising both serving and former leaders, supported the nomination and described the professor as a person of unquestionable integrity.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, said Amupitan’s track record “reflects a deep commitment to justice, knowledge, and national service.”
With the council’s approval , the President is set to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation in accordance with constitutional requirements.