Council of State approves appointment of Prof. Amupitan as INEC Chairman

• We’re ready to work with anyone – APC

• Work on a new Electoral Act – Obidients’ Movement

By Egena Sunday Ode & Jude Opara

The National Council of State (NCS) has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said President Bola Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025.

According to the statement, President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy 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,” it stated.

Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA  in Kogi State, is a  Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau. He is also an alumnus of the university.

He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.

Amupitan was born on April 25, 1967.

After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.

He earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.

Currently, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.

Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).

Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).

Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013)  and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).

He is married and has four children.

Reacting to the appoint, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the appointment of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko said the party welcomes the appointment because it is the constitutional right of the President to do so.

Meseko said the party is ready to work with and cooperate with anyone who emerges as the chairman of the electoral body.

“The Constitution gives the president that prerogative to appoint a Chairman for INEC and has exercised it accordingly.

“As a party, we are ready to work and cooperate with whoever becomes the INEC Chairman”.

Also speaking, National Coordinator of the Obidient movement, Dr. Tanko Yunisa in a statement on Thursday said while the movement welcomed Amupitan, they wish he should enthrone the culture of free and fair elections.

He wrote: “As we reflect on the performances of the past INEC Chairman, we are hopeful that your tenure will mark a significant milestone in the history of Nigeria.

“We look forward to seeing a new Electoral Act that will enhance the credibility, freedom and fairness of our elections, particularly as we approach the 2027 general elections “.