The new INEC chaiman, Amupitan, vows to restore integrity, and ensure elections where losers congratulate winners
Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has pledged to restore integrity and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, assuring that elections under his leadership will be so credible that “the loser will congratulate the winner.”
Amupitan, a professor of Law, was confirmed by the Senate through a voice vote after about two hours of screening on Thursday. During the session, senators questioned him extensively on his plans to reform the electoral system and rebuild citizens’ trust in INEC.
The 58-year-old don, nominated by President Bola Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State last week, becomes the sixth substantive INEC chairman since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
“I’ll ensure trust and ethical conduct in INEC” — Amupitan
Speaking before his confirmation, Amupitan outlined a reform agenda that includes establishing an internal ethics committee, introducing a whistleblower policy, enforcing accountability, and deploying technology including drones to strengthen election logistics and security.
“I think that is a major concern. We will work out an internal mechanism to try the behaviour of humans,” he said.
“I’m taking this position on trust, and my people must appreciate that they hold their positions on trust as well. We will set up an ethical committee to review what happened because people have reported, and nothing was done. We will pursue every complaint and follow through.”
He assured lawmakers that his administration would prioritize transparency, ethical standards, and internal discipline within the Commission.
Collaboration on Electoral Offences
Amupitan also expressed readiness to work with the National Assembly on the proposed Electoral Offences Commission to ensure effective prosecution of electoral violations.
“We will work with the National Assembly because there will be a need for legislative intervention on an Electoral Offences Commission to investigate cases, even if we need to use forensic means to do that. We will introduce a whistleblowing policy to expose such practices,” he explained.
Election Security and Voter Access
On election security, Amupitan promised innovative measures to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
“Security is a major challenge. We will work with the security committee to strengthen those areas. We will invest in logistics to ensure we penetrate all parts of Nigeria — even if we need to use drones. No voter will be left behind; that will be our policy,” he stated.
He further underscored the importance of voter and civic education in entrenching democratic culture, saying:
“There’s going to be voter education and civic education. We will build the capacity of all election stakeholders and embark on aggressive civic education.”
Clarifying Result Transmission
Addressing the controversy around real-time transmission of results, Amupitan said the matter required legislative clarification, promising to work with lawmakers to strengthen the Electoral Act.
“The timeline issue will be streamlined, so there’s no ambiguity. We will ensure that elections are credible so the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won.’ We will also examine the security of election materials,” he added.
Financial Transparency and Technological Audit
On financial management, Amupitan pledged strict compliance with procurement laws and efficient use of public funds.
“This parliament has enough laws on procurement and management of public funds; they will be enforced strictly to utilise funds for their intended purposes. We can also save funds where possible,” he said.
He further promised a comprehensive audit of INEC’s Results Viewing Portal (IReV) and other electoral technologies to identify and address technical challenges that undermined public confidence during the 2023 general elections.
“I have to audit the system, if I’m given the opportunity, to see what is actually wrong and whether we have what it takes, as it is now,” Amupitan explained.
He clarified that while the IReV portal was designed for transparency and verification, it was never intended to replace manual result collation.
“The Supreme Court has clarified that IReV is not an electronic collation system. However, it was meant to provide checks and balances to enhance credibility. Unfortunately, this was not properly explained before the election,” he said.
Strengthening INEC’s Independence
Amupitan pledged to safeguard INEC’s constitutional independence, lamenting that delayed fund releases and weak institutional autonomy had constrained the commission’s operations in the past.
“Although the law provides that funds should be released a year before elections, in practice, this has not always been done on time. This creates financial constraints for the commission.
“We will look at the spirit and letter of the Constitution and the laws made by the National Assembly to ensure that INEC truly operates as an independent body. We shall audit the system and deal with any challenges accordingly,” he assured.
“I’ve never represented Tinubu, Atiku, or Obi”
Addressing rumours about his alleged political affiliations, Amupitan denied reports that he was part of President Tinubu’s legal team at the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court.
“You also discussed whether I was part of the presidential election team. I have also read it. It is straightforward to answer. The Law reports on those cases have been out. And even when I was coming, I decided to have certified true copies of the counsel that appeared.
“I never, I did not appear in the presidential election tribunal and at the Supreme Court,” Amupitan said in response to a question from Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West).
Senate Confirms Appointment
Following the screening, the Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment through a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), in line with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Amupitan succeeds Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC chairman from 2015 to 2025.
Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been headed by several chairmen who enjoyed varying levels of public confidence. They include Justice Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000), who conducted the 1999 transition elections; Dr. Abel Guobadia (2000–2005); Prof. Maurice Iwu (2005–2010); and Prof. Attahiru Jega (2010–2015), acclaimed for presiding over the historic 2015 polls that produced a peaceful change of power. Others are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (2015–2025), and acting chairpersons Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari (2015) and Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu (2025, prior to Amupitan’s confirmation).
