President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the name of Professor Joash Amupitan, a SAN, to the Senate for verification as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the letter, President Tinubu stated that his appeal was in accordance with section 154 (1) of the constitution 

“In accordance with provisions of Sections 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Attached is his curriculum vitae. 

“While hoping that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment of the nominee in its usual expeditious manner, please accept, distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the letter read.

After going through the letter, Senator Akpabio raised the request to the Senate Committee of the Whole for deliberation as soon as practicable. 

“This is referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration as soon as practicable,” the Senate president said after reading the letter. 

Mr Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and law professor at the University of Jos, was appointed as INEC chairperson by President Tinubu last Thursday after endorsement by the National Council of State.

Mr Amupitan is a specialist in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law, he was conferred with the rank of SAN in September 2014. 

He took over from Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairperson from 2015 until his second tenure ended last Tuesday. Mr Yakubu has since handed over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, who is the most senior national commissioner by appointment. 

Although many Nigerians and civil society organisations working on democracy and elections have welcomed the appointment, they have also called for a transparent and merit-based confirmation process.

The Senate President, Akpabio afterwards referred the appeal to the Committee of the Whole for consideration “as soon as practicable.”

President Tinubu has also sought Senate approval for the appointment of Mrs. Ayo Omidiran as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, along with 28 others as Federal Commissioners, including Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara State.