By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after a rigorous screening session that lasted about three hours and featured probing questions from lawmakers across party lines.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and respected legal scholar, presented a detailed reform agenda aimed at restoring public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system. He pledged to create an ethics and compliance committee, strengthen internal accountability, and push for the establishment of a long-awaited electoral offences commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.
During the televised screening, senators questioned him on persistent lapses in Nigeria’s electoral process, including allegations of compromise by officials, logistical failures, and widespread mistrust of results. In response, Amupitan outlined his central objective: “To make elections so credible that even the loser will congratulate the winner.”
He said his first step upon assuming office would be to introduce a robust internal integrity framework to hold electoral officers accountable for misconduct.
“I am taking this position on trust, and those who will work with me must also recognise that they are holding the trust of the Nigerian people. To maintain integrity, I intend to set up an ethics and compliance committee within INEC to audit reported cases of misconduct,” he stated.
Admitting that past elections had been marred by irregularities and corruption, Amupitan vowed to end impunity. He cited cases in Bayelsa and Adamawa where some offenders were prosecuted but noted that many escaped justice. “We will follow through on all reported cases to ensure accountability. Electoral offences must carry consequences,” he declared, earning applause from lawmakers.
He urged the National Assembly to fast-track the creation of an electoral offences commission, arguing that INEC currently lacks the legal and institutional capacity to effectively investigate and prosecute such crimes. “We need a dedicated body with the mandate and resources to handle this critical task. INEC will work closely with the legislature to achieve that,” he said.
Amupitan also announced plans to introduce a whistle-blower policy to protect individuals who expose corruption within the commission. “People must be free to report malpractices without fear of victimisation,” he added.
On election logistics and security, he acknowledged Nigeria’s size and diversity as major challenges. He pledged to work with the Joint Committee on Election Security to protect materials, personnel and voters. “In high-risk areas, we will adopt innovative methods, including the possible use of drones and other secure technologies, to ensure election materials reach their destinations safely. No voter will be left behind,” he said.
Amupitan also promised a comprehensive overhaul of INEC’s technological infrastructure, including the electronic transmission and collation systems that have been a source of controversy in past elections. He said he would review and adopt technologies that best enhance transparency and credibility.
Addressing inconsistencies in the Electoral Act, he acknowledged the existence of contradictory provisions that fuel confusion and litigation. He pledged to work with relevant authorities to harmonise timelines and clarify grey areas.
On voter education, he promised a more aggressive civic enlightenment campaign to improve citizens’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities, in line with Section 2 of the Electoral Act. He also committed to strengthening capacity-building within INEC, ensuring that officials receive regular training on ethics, technology and best practices.
Amupitan assured lawmakers that financial accountability would remain a top priority. “INEC funds will be used only for the purposes for which they are appropriated. We will explore ways to reduce costs without compromising efficiency,” he said.
Following the screening, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the confirmation to a voice vote, and lawmakers unanimously approved the appointment. Akpabio described Amupitan as “a man of intellect, courage, and integrity,” adding that his appointment comes at a critical moment for Nigeria’s democracy.
With his confirmation, Amupitan assumes leadership of INEC at a time when electoral credibility is under intense public scrutiny. Many observers view his appointment as an opportunity to rebuild trust and reposition INEC as an independent and impartial electoral umpire.
Amupitan is a seasoned constitutional law expert with more than three decades of academic and professional experience. A former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, he has served as a legal consultant to the National Assembly, Nigerian Law Reform Commission, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. His writings on electoral law and governance have been widely cited in academic and policy circles.
As he concluded his remarks, Amupitan summed up his vision for INEC: “Our approach will be guided by integrity, accountability, security, efficiency, and education, to ensure that elections in Nigeria truly reflect the will of the people.”
