The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following a rigorous screening session held in the Senate Chamber.

The confirmation came after the upper legislative chamber convened as a Committee of the Whole, where Professor Amupitan was subjected to an extensive question-and-answer session. Lawmakers across party lines took turns interrogating the nominee on a range of national issues, particularly around electoral reforms, voter education, and the independence of the electoral body.

Professor Amupitan, a respected legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), provided detailed responses to the lawmakers’ questions, emphasizing his commitment to transparency, neutrality, and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

After the screening exercise, the nominee was asked to “take a bow” — a traditional Senate practice signifying the conclusion of the confirmation hearing — and exited the chamber alongside his entourage. Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured that the outcome of the screening would be formally communicated to him.

Following Amupitan’s departure, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to reinstate all floor privileges that had been earlier suspended to facilitate the screening. The motion was promptly seconded by the Senate Minority Leader and received unanimous approval through a voice vote.

The final confirmation of the nominee was subsequently put to a voice vote by the Senate President. With no dissenting voices, the appointment was officially ratified.

“The nomination of Joash Ojo Amupitan for appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is hereby confirmed,” Senate President Akpabio declared.

Professor Amupitan’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the country’s electoral body, as preparations begin for upcoming off-cycle elections and broader electoral reforms. His tenure is expected to usher in a new chapter in INEC’s leadership, with stakeholders hoping for greater credibility, independence, and innovation in Nigeria’s electoral system.