Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly appointed Chairman-designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is currently undergoing screening and confirmation proceedings before the Senate in Abuja.
The nominee, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law from the University of Jos, arrived at the National Assembly complex accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries.
Screening Details and Clearance
The screening commenced after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, confirmed that the nominee had been fully cleared by major security agencies, including:
- The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA)
- The Department of State Services (DSS)
- The Office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), which confirmed that Amupitan has no criminal records following a fingerprint search.
Focus of the Screening
Professor Amupitan, who is nominated to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, is widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law. The screening session is expected to focus on:
- His vision for conducting credible elections.
- His plans for institutional reforms within INEC.
- Measures to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.
If confirmed by the Senate, Professor Amupitan will immediately oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general elections. His appointment has, however, generated mixed reactions from civil society groups and political stakeholders calling for reforms to strengthen the electoral body’s independence and transparency.
