President Bola Tinubu has communicated with the Nigerian Senate, requesting the legislative confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan to assume the role of Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The formal request was presented to the Senate during its plenary session on Tuesday, where it was read aloud by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio also shared other presidential communications concerning appointments that require the legislature’s assent.
The nomination letter confirms that the President’s action adheres to the constitutional requirements mandating Senate approval for key appointments, including the head of the electoral body. The matter has since been sent to the Committee of the Whole for legislative review.
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This move follows the President’s submission of Professor Amupitan’s name last Thursday as his preferred choice to succeed the outgoing INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.
The nomination received unanimous endorsement from the Council of State, which comprises former heads of state and other senior officials.
During the Council meeting, President Tinubu noted that Professor Amupitan, who hails from Kogi State in the North-Central geopolitical zone, is the first person from that state to be nominated for the commission’s top post.
A statement released by the presidential spokesperson quoted President Tinubu describing the nominee as a figure who is “apolitical.”
The Council members, including former leaders, fully backed the selection.
Additionally, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo characterised Professor Amupitan as a “man of integrity.”
Professor Amupitan, aged 58, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, where he also holds the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
