Professor Joash Amupitan Appointed New INEC Chairman, Succeeding Mahmood Yakubu

According to a report by The Punch on Friday, October 10, 2025, the National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Amupitan, a 58-year-old legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure drew significant public scrutiny over the conduct of recent elections.

Reacting to the transition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Bode George criticized Yakubu’s leadership, saying, “I warned him that he would regret it. You saw what he did during the elections.”

Political parties expressed varied reactions to the appointment. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed confidence in Amupitan’s competence, while opposition parties urged reforms within INEC. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) called for loyalty to the Nigerian electorate, and the PDP emphasized the need for internal restructuring in the commission.

Legal experts, including several Senior Advocates of Nigeria, identified key challenges ahead for the new chairman—chief among them restoring transparency, independence, and public trust in the electoral process.

Professor Amupitan’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate. If confirmed, he will oversee efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral credibility and ensure future elections reflect the will of the people.