By Alfred Akwe/Phoenix Reports
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following an intense screening session that lasted over three hours and featured probing questions from senators across party lines.
The confirmation, broadcast live to the nation, came after the distinguished law scholar outlined a comprehensive reform agenda to reposition INEC as a transparent, accountable and trusted institution. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and professor of constitutional law, pledged to “make elections so credible that even the loser will congratulate the winner,” as he promised to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system through ethical, legal, and technological reforms.
He told lawmakers that one of his first actions upon assumption of office would be the establishment of an Ethics and Compliance Committee to uphold integrity and discipline among electoral officers. According to him, the commission must operate on the principle of trust, and those serving under it must recognize that they hold the trust of the Nigerian people.
Amupitan said the era of impunity in electoral operations would end under his leadership, adding that every case of misconduct would be investigated and sanctioned. He called on the National Assembly to fast-track the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission that would handle the investigation and prosecution of electoral crimes independently. The proposed body, he said, would give Nigeria’s democracy the legal backbone it needs to combat fraud and vote manipulation.
He also revealed plans to introduce a whistleblower system to protect individuals who expose corruption and malpractice within the commission, emphasizing that people must be free to report wrongdoing without fear of victimization.
Responding to questions on technology and logistics, Amupitan said INEC would overhaul its operational systems, including the electronic transmission and collation infrastructure, to enhance transparency. He hinted at the possible use of drones and other innovations to ensure the safe delivery of election materials, especially in high-risk areas, stressing that “no voter will be left behind.”
On civic education and voter participation, the new INEC Chairman promised an aggressive campaign to deepen citizens’ understanding of the electoral process, saying democracy can only thrive when voters, parties and institutions fully understand their rights and responsibilities.
He further assured that his administration would work with the National Assembly to harmonize electoral timelines and clarify grey areas in the Electoral Act to reduce post-election disputes.
Amupitan also promised strict financial discipline, assuring the Senate that all INEC funds would be utilized transparently in line with the Public Procurement Act and the Finance Act. He pledged to explore cost-saving strategies without compromising efficiency or credibility.
At the end of the screening, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the confirmation to a voice vote, and the chamber resounded with unanimous approval. Akpabio described Amupitan as “a man of intellect, courage, and integrity,” urging him to lead with fairness, transparency, and moral strength.
With this confirmation, Amupitan assumes leadership of INEC at a crucial moment in Nigeria’s democracy — one marked by public demand for credible, technology-driven elections that reflect the people’s will. As he told the lawmakers, “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.”
Professor Amupitan, a former Dean of Law at the University of Jos, is widely respected for his scholarship, integrity, and decades of contribution to legal and democratic development. His appointment, coming at a time when confidence in the electoral system has waned, is seen by many observers as a critical opportunity for reform and renewal within Nigeria’s electoral institution.