President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the president’s letter during Tuesday’s plenary session, along with other communications seeking legislative approval for key appointments.
According to Tinubu, the nomination complies with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Akpabio subsequently referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
In a separate communication, the President also sought the Senate’s approval for the appointment of Mrs. Ayo Omidiran as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, alongside 28 other nominees, including Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara State, as Federal Commissioners.
The nomination of Professor Amupitan follows the unanimous endorsement of his appointment by the National Council of State during its meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Thursday.
Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law from Kogi State, will be the first person from the North-Central region to head the electoral commission. His appointment comes after the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s 10-year tenure in October 2025.
According to a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s submission of Amupitan’s name to the Senate is in fulfillment of constitutional requirements for confirmation.
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