The Nigerian Senate has announced that it will screen the nominee for Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
This follows the formal nomination of Prof. Amupitan by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose request for confirmation was transmitted to the upper chamber in accordance with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The Senate’s Director of Information, Dr. Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, confirmed the screening date in an official statement released to the media.
“The screening of the nominee for the position of INEC Chairman will take place at the Senate Chamber by 11 a.m. and will be broadcast live,” the notice read.
Prof. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a constitutional law expert, hails from Kogi State.
He was nominated to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ended on October 7, 2025.
Until a substantive chairman is confirmed, May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at the Commission, is serving in an acting capacity.
Background and Endorsement
Amupitan’s nomination follows an earlier endorsement by the National Council of State, which reportedly gave unanimous approval after considering his qualifications and public service record.
The Presidency has described him as “non-partisan” and “eminently qualified” to lead the electoral body at this critical time.
If confirmed, Amupitan will assume leadership of INEC ahead of crucial off-cycle elections and in the buildup to the 2027 general elections, with expectations high for reforms in election conduct, voter education, and transparency in results collation.
Stakeholders Demand Transparent Process
As the Senate prepares for the screening, opposition parties and civil society groups have urged lawmakers to carry out a thorough and open evaluation of the nominee’s competence, independence, and vision for electoral reform.
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement earlier this week, warned the Senate against rubber-stamping the nomination, stressing that the credibility of future elections depends on who heads INEC.
Civil society organizations such as Yiaga Africa have also called for a transparent screening process, including public access to the session and the opportunity for citizens to submit memoranda or questions.
Key Issues Ahead of Screening
The Senate is expected to quiz Prof. Amupitan on a wide range of issues including:
* His plans to protect INEC’s institutional independence
* Strategies to improve voter registration and reduce disenfranchisement
* Measures to ensure secure, credible, and technology-driven elections
* Reforms to address the electoral violence and vote buying
Amupitan’s performance before the Senate and his responses to these critical areas will be closely watched by political observers, electoral stakeholders, and the international community.
