President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the Senate to confirm Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the President’s letter of request on Tuesday during plenary, along with other communications seeking legislative approval for various appointments.
Tinubu urged the lawmakers to give the nomination their “usual expeditious consideration.”
According to the President, the appointment was made in accordance with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the letter read.
The President also attached the nominee’s curriculum vitae for review and concluded by conveying his highest regards to the Senate President.
In response, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for consideration “as soon as practicable.”
In a separate communication, Tinubu sought the Senate’s confirmation of Mrs. Ayo Omidiran as the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, along with 28 others as Federal Commissioners, including Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara State.
It would be recalled that the National Council of State had earlier approved Amupitan’s appointment as INEC Chairman.
The President presented Amupitan’s name to the Council during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. The appointment follows the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s 10-year tenure in October 2025.
Tinubu informed the Council that Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law from Kogi State, is the first nominee for the INEC chairmanship from the North-Central region.
“In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening,” a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga read.
