Abuja, Nigeria — October 17, 2025:
The newly appointed National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has officially assumed office, pledging to usher in a new era of electoral credibility, transparency, and public trust.
Speaking at the INEC headquarters in Abuja during his maiden address to staff and stakeholders, Prof. Amupitan promised that under his leadership, Nigeria’s elections will be conducted in a way that even losers will have confidence in the process and willingly congratulate winners.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and law professor formally took over the reins of the nation’s electoral body following his confirmation by the Senate earlier this week. His appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu comes at a time of renewed national debate over electoral reforms, institutional integrity, and citizen participation.
A New Phase for INEC
In his inaugural remarks, Prof. Amupitan emphasized that restoring public confidence in the electoral process will be the core of his administration’s agenda.
“Under my watch, INEC will be impartial, transparent, and accountable. We will conduct elections that reflect the true will of the Nigerian people. Our aim is to build a system so credible that losers will be proud of the process and will congratulate the winners,” he said.
He noted that the Commission will pursue technological innovation, improved logistics, and stronger legal compliance to ensure fairness in the conduct of elections at all levels.
According to him, the time has come to consolidate the gains of the previous electoral cycles while correcting the lapses that have eroded public trust.
“We must confront the challenges that have hindered our progress. From issues of vote buying to logistics delays, from voter apathy to misinformation, we will take deliberate actions to make every vote count,” the INEC boss declared.
Commitment to Electoral Reforms
Amupitan’s appointment has been widely seen as an opportunity to deepen electoral reforms initiated in recent years. He announced plans to strengthen collaboration with the National Assembly, political parties, and civil society organizations to push for amendments that will make the electoral system more resilient.
“Electoral reform is not the responsibility of INEC alone. It is a collective national task,” he said. “We will engage constructively with all arms of government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the legal framework continues to evolve in line with global best practices.”
He added that INEC under his chairmanship will intensify its efforts to enhance the credibility of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and improve real-time result transmission through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The new chairman also promised to institute regular staff training and capacity building to ensure efficiency and professionalism among INEC officials.
Transition and Legacy
Prof. Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025 and oversaw two general elections. Yakubu’s tenure was marked by major technological reforms but also controversies surrounding result transmission and electoral integrity.
In his farewell message, Prof. Yakubu congratulated his successor and urged him to remain steadfast in protecting INEC’s independence.
“INEC’s greatest strength is its institutional integrity,” Yakubu said. “Professor Amupitan brings to this office a wealth of experience, sound judgment, and proven commitment to justice. I trust that he will strengthen the Commission and further enhance Nigeria’s democracy.”
The handing-over ceremony was attended by top INEC officials, representatives of political parties, and members of the civil society community.
Profile of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN
Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, is a distinguished legal scholar, jurist, and human rights advocate. A native of Plateau State, he previously served as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, and has decades of experience in constitutional law and governance reform.
He was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for his contributions to legal scholarship and advocacy for justice reform.
Before his appointment, he also served as a member of several national committees on electoral law review and constitutional amendments, making him one of the most knowledgeable experts on Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.
His nomination by President Tinubu and subsequent confirmation by the Senate followed months of speculation over who would succeed Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure officially ended earlier this month.
Public Reactions and Expectations
Reactions have begun to pour in following Amupitan’s assumption of office, with many Nigerians expressing cautious optimism about the future of the nation’s electoral system.
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of civil society organizations, described his inaugural speech as “a breath of fresh air.”
In a statement signed by its chairperson, Dr. Amina Abdullahi, the group said:
“We welcome Prof. Amupitan’s pledge for credible elections and transparency. However, the task ahead is enormous. Nigerians are watching closely to see if INEC will truly become an independent and people-centered institution.”
Similarly, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) urged the new chairman to uphold neutrality and resist political interference.
“The credibility of the Commission will depend on the chairman’s courage to resist pressure from any quarter. We hope Prof. Amupitan will remain impartial and build on the positive legacies of his predecessor,” the CNPP noted.
Political analysts have also described Amupitan’s statement that “losers will congratulate winners” as a bold vision that underscores his confidence in electoral justice and fairness.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimism, the road ahead for the new INEC boss is far from easy. Nigeria’s electoral process has long been plagued by logistical setbacks, pre-election violence, voter intimidation, and allegations of result manipulation.
The 2023 and 2027 general elections witnessed heated debates over transparency and result transmission delays. Observers insist that regaining voter confidence will require tangible reforms, not just rhetoric.
Security during elections also remains a critical issue, especially in regions facing insurgency, banditry, and separatist tensions. INEC’s ability to deliver free and fair elections will depend on close collaboration with security agencies.
“We understand the magnitude of the challenges,” Amupitan said. “But we are determined to confront them head-on. Our democracy is worth defending, and the ballot must remain the most powerful tool for change.”
Towards 2027 General Elections
As Nigeria gradually approaches the 2027 general elections, all eyes will be on Prof. Amupitan to see how he steers INEC through the preparatory stages. The chairman has already hinted at plans to review the conduct of the 2023 polls, identify operational lapses, and implement reforms well ahead of the next major electoral cycle.
He also announced that INEC will soon release a comprehensive post-election report, detailing lessons learned and policy recommendations for future elections.
“We will not shy away from self-assessment,” he assured. “Our goal is continuous improvement. Every election should be better than the last.”
Conclusion
Prof. Joash Amupitan’s emergence as INEC Chairman has injected renewed hope into Nigeria’s democratic space. His vow to conduct elections so transparent that losers would congratulate winners has struck a chord with millions of Nigerians yearning for fairness and accountability in governance.
As the Commission begins a new chapter under his leadership, expectations are high. The coming months will reveal whether his vision will translate into concrete reforms capable of transforming Nigeria’s electoral landscape — and whether his promise of credible elections will indeed stand the test of time.
