The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to the nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement titled ‘ADC’s Preliminary Reaction to the Nomination of Professor Amupitan as New INEC Chairman,’ signed by the spokesperson of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said it is “ready to give the new INEC chair the benefit of the doubt” in leading the electoral body.
The party stated that it is “cautious” but expects the professor of law to have a personal ambition to “do better and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the world in Nigerian elections.”
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The statement continued:“We are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt based on his track record. But now he has the opportunity to make a good name for himself that his children would be proud of, or to soil his record and end up with ignominy.”
“He must understand that his loyalty is with the Nigerian people, not the government.”
“He should bear in mind also that his tenure will ordinarily last beyond one electoral cycle. He should therefore look beyond the interest of those who have appointed him,”
The National Council of State approved the nomination of Professor Amupitan on Thursday, as disclosed in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu presented Amupitan to fill the vacant position following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit, who served from 2015 till October 2025.
According to Onanuga, the President informed the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated for the position and is “apolitical.” “Council members unanimously supported the nomination,” with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity.”
In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.
Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, specializing in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law.
He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.
He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and is the Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University. Born on April 25, 1967, the 58-year-old nominee hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
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