President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has triggered mixed reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape, reopening debates about electoral credibility and long-standing calls for reform.
The National Council of State had, on Thursday, unanimously endorsed Amupitan’s nomination following the resignation of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose 10-year tenure officially ended in October 2025.
Tinubu described Amupitan as an “apolitical figure of impeccable integrity,” saying his choice was guided by “record of service and character.”
However, the appointment has split opposition voices and revived concerns about executive influence over INEC, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Interim National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Tony Akeni, argued that Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers but warned that the existing legal framework still leaves room for manipulation.
“As long as the constitution has not been amended, the right to appoint remains with him. It is obvious the next election may not be free and fair. It’s a case of he who pays the piper calling the tunes,” Akeni said.
Akeni urged opposition leaders to move beyond social media activism, calling for mass action to demand genuine electoral reforms.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, reiterated calls for the full implementation of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Report, which proposed a transparent and merit-based process for appointing INEC leadership.
“The report clearly stipulated that the vacant position should be advertised for equity and justice. If we don’t do that, these elections will be marred with irregularities,” Tanko warned.
But some political actors have defended Tinubu’s action. The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ladipo Johnson, said the president’s decision cannot be faulted until the law changes.
“Unfortunately, there is nothing anybody can do since the Constitution has not been amended. Until that is done, we can’t stop Tinubu from appointing anybody he wants,” Johnson said, while urging Amupitan to demonstrate impartiality in office.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a law professor from Kogi State, becomes the first person from the state to head the electoral commission.
His appointment, announced by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga via X, follows a decade marked by controversies under Yakubu’s leadership, including technological setbacks, delayed results, and allegations of electoral irregularities.
As the Senate prepares to confirm Amupitan’s nomination, political watchers say his ability to rebuild confidence in the electoral process will define his tenure and shape Nigeria’s democratic future.
