By Nkechi Eze
The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has assumed duty with a firm pledge to uphold electoral integrity, transparency, and discipline while prioritizing teamwork and staff welfare as the cornerstone of his administration.
Speaking at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja shortly after formally taking over from the Acting Chairman, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Professor Amupitan described his appointment as “a divine call to national service” and vowed to sustain the credibility and trust Nigerians repose in INEC.
“Our mandate is clear, to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” he stated. “To achieve this, we must work together as a team, leveraging our individual expertise and collective experience. The integrity of our elections is not something we should even negotiate. It is the soul of democracy.”
The new INEC Chairman, who arrived in the company of senior officials from the University of Jos, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him to lead the nation’s electoral body. He described his new assignment as a “herculean but noble national duty” and assured Nigerians that his leadership would sustain the reform-driven legacy of his predecessors while charting new paths for institutional excellence.
Acknowledging the high expectations of citizens, Professor Amupitan emphasized that success would depend on the cooperation and dedication of the Commission’s workforce. He therefore assured staff that their welfare would be treated as a priority, describing them as “the engine room of the Commission.”
“We are going to be expecting so much from you,” he said. “And it is only fair that we also give so much to those from whom we expect much. Your welfare will be a priority. We will ensure that your working conditions are conducive and that you have the resources to excel.”
Professor Amupitan also underscored the importance of unity and collaboration across all departments, noting that synergy among staff would determine the Commission’s success in delivering credible elections.
He particularly referenced the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for November 8, 2025, which he described as a litmus test for the Commission’s readiness and credibility.
“The Anambra election is not just another electoral exercise,” he noted. “It is an opportunity for us to show Nigerians and the world that INEC remains committed to free, fair, and credible elections. The eyes of the nation are upon us, and we must rise to the occasion.”
Calling on staff to close ranks and rebuild public confidence in the electoral process, he added, “Let’s restore the confidence of every voter that their vote counts. We must end voter apathy and rebuild trust in the process.”
Earlier, in her handover address, the Acting Chairman, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, congratulated Professor Amupitan and assured him of the unwavering support of INEC’s management and staff. She described the day as “a moment of continuity and renewal” and praised the new Chairman’s wealth of experience and commitment to democratic values.
“You are not walking into an empty field,” Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said. “The Commission has been blessed with a team of dedicated and patriotic staff who will stand firmly with you as you lead INEC into its next chapter.”
She further revealed that preparations for the Anambra election were already at an advanced stage, with four National Commissioners currently in the state conducting readiness assessments to ensure logistics and personnel were fully in place.
While presenting the official handover notes, she commended the professionalism of INEC staff nationwide and expressed optimism that under Professor Amupitan’s leadership, the Commission would “soar to greater heights and further strengthen the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.”
The brief but symbolic ceremony was attended by the wife and children of the new Chairman, National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, Directors, senior officials, members of the INEC Press Corps, and family members.
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, a distinguished scholar and legal luminary, thus becomes the sixth substantive Chairman of INEC since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
