Tinubu Swears In New INEC Chairman

MPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday administered the oath of office to Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), charging him to uphold integrity and transparency in the discharge of his duties.

The swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, marked the formal assumption of office for the sixth substantive head of the electoral body.

In his address, President Tinubu urged the new INEC boss to justify the confidence reposed in him by both the Executive and the Legislature, following his nomination and subsequent confirmation by the Senate on October 16, 2025.

“Your nomination and confirmation are a testament to your capacity and the trust placed in you. This significant milestone marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey. I trust that you will approach this responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism.

“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our institutions through reforms and innovations. However, we must remain steadfast to the principles that sustain democracy in a complex society like ours,” he said.

The President emphasized that the credibility of elections was essential to public trust and national stability, describing the forthcoming Anambra Governorship Election slated for November 8, 2025, as a “litmus test” for the new INEC leadership.

“It is important that our elections remain free, fair, and credible. To sustain public confidence, every stage of the process—from registration to voting and counting—must be transparent, non-violent, and beyond reproach,” Tinubu added.

He further urged Prof. Amupitan to strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC and safeguard the electoral process from manipulation or setbacks.

Amupitan, 58, succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025.

During his Senate screening, the law professor pledged to implement far-reaching reforms to restore public trust and enhance the independence of the commission.