L-R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; newly sworn-in INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and Kwara State Governor and Chairman of NGF, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the swearing-in of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan at the State House, Abuja. Thursday, October 23, 2025
ABUJA, October 23, 2025
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) has been sworn in by President Bola Tinubu as the sixth substantive head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with a clear mandate to uphold electoral integrity beyond reproach. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
President Tinubu, while administering the oath of office, congratulated Prof. Amupitan on his appointment and Senate confirmation, describing both as a testament to his capacity, experience, and the confidence reposed in him by the executive and legislative arms of government.
“Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government. This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” President Tinubu said.
The President emphasized that Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 has recorded steady progress through the strengthening of national institutions, particularly the electoral commission. He said the INEC Chairman must continue to build on the gains of the past to ensure that elections remain credible and reflective of the people’s will. https://statehouse.gov.ng/
“Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms,” Tinubu stated. “We must remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society like ours. The integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach if we are to sustain the trust of our people.”
The President described the INEC Chairman’s role as central to sustaining public confidence in democracy. He highlighted that credible elections give citizens the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. According to him, electoral integrity remains the foundation of good governance and must be safeguarded at all costs.
Professor Joash Amupitan takes the oath of office as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja. Thursday, October 23, 2025
“The electoral process is a vital part of democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future,” Tinubu noted. “To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach.”
Referencing the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, President Tinubu said it will serve as a litmus test for the new INEC Chairman and his team. He charged Prof. Amupitan to deliver an election that is transparent, credible, and reflective of the people’s true choice. https://statehouse.gov.ng/
“It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow,” the President said. “To maintain public trust, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process-from registration to campaigning, media access, voting, and counting-should be transparent, non-violent, and credible.”
President Tinubu further acknowledged that while no electoral system is flawless, every effort must be made to strengthen institutions and prevent setbacks. He reminded the INEC Chairman of his duty to lead a commission that is resilient, impartial, and transparent in all its dealings.
“No electoral system is perfect,” Tinubu said. “But since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against artificial setbacks. I therefore charge you, Prof. Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment, to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.”
The ceremony followed the Senate’s confirmation of Prof. Amupitan’s nomination on October 16, 2025, after a rigorous screening process. The new INEC Chairman succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served from 2015 to 2025, overseeing two presidential election cycles and several state elections across the country.
At his Senate screening, the 58-year-old INEC Chairman, professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria outlined a reform-driven agenda focused on strengthening institutional independence, promoting transparency, and rebuilding public trust in INEC. He also pledged to improve the commission’s internal systems, deploy technology effectively, and ensure credible elections nationwide.
With his swearing-in, Prof. Amupitan officially assumes office, ushering in a new chapter for the Independent National Electoral Commission at a critical time in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The statement announcing the swearing-in was issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Visit http://gmtnewsng.com
