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BREAKING: Tinubu swears in Amupitan as new INEC Chair
President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ceremony followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s appointment last week after a rigorous screening session on October 16.
At the swearing-in, President Tinubu tasked Amupitan with safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity.
“As the chairman of INEC, your nomination and confirmation reflect the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and legislative arms of government. This marks the start of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust you will approach your duties with integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s democratic progress over 25 years, the President emphasized the need for continuous innovation and reform to maintain free, fair, and credible elections. He urged Amupitan to ensure transparency and public trust throughout the entire electoral process—from voter registration and campaigning to voting and counting.
Amupitan, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), arrived at the State House on Thursday dressed in traditional white agbada and gold cap ahead of the formal ceremony. He was accompanied by presidential aides.
During his Senate screening, the 58-year-old nominee pledged to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process by prioritizing reforms, including strengthening the Electoral Act to resolve inconsistencies in election timelines and enhance transparency.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser congratulates the winner fairly,” Amupitan told senators, emphasizing the need to rebuild voter confidence.
He also clarified his neutrality by denying any involvement in President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, stating, “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any party.”
Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive INEC chairman since the commission’s establishment. He is expected to immediately begin the transition process at INEC headquarters in Abuja following his swearing-in.
Profile
Born on April 25, 1967, the 58-year-old Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He is also an alumnus of the university.
He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.
After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.
Amupitan earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.
He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).
Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).
Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
He is married and has four children.
News
Uzodimma to Editors: You should be held accountable for what happens to Nigeria
“The narratives you shape between now and the election will determine whether Nigerians approach 2027 with hope or cynicism, with trust or suspicion, with a sense of shared stake or through a tribal lens.”
Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, says the Nigerian media industry should be held accountable for what’s happening in the country and to its citizens, both positively and negatively.
“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect,” said Uzodimma.
In a keynote address , he delivered today during the 21st edition of the All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja.
Uzodimma, critique the theme, ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,’ and a sub-theme: ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027,’ said : I will not let you escape accountability for electoral integrity, trust deficit, and what Nigerians expect in 2027.
Here is why. If you have a role to play in “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion,’ then you also have a role to play in ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit.’
Without electoral integrity, there can be no democracy. Electoral integrity begets democracy, and democracy begets good governance, and good governance fast-tracks the exorcism of trust deficit.
In all of these, your role as facilitator, amplifier, or catalyst is key.
“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect.”
He emphasised that what editors actually do is akin to a pastoral duty.
“You decide what becomes urgent and what disappears.
You choose the lens through which millions of Nigerians see their country, their leaders, and each other.
“That is how the media is structured. A policy shift is either “Government U-Turn” or “Strategic Adaptation.”
A land border closure is either “Economic Protectionism Impoverishing the People” or “National Security Imperative.” Same facts, different frames. Entirely different public perception.,” he said.
He added: ” You are not spectators in 2027. You are active participants. You are catalysts and facilitators, whether r you acknowledge it or not.
The narratives you shape between now and the election will determine whether Nigerians approach 2027 with hope or cynicism, with trust or suspicion, with a sense of shared stake or through a tribal lens.”
News
Editors demand 10-year corporate tax relief for the media industry
The President of the NGE, Mr Eze Anaba, who made the call on behalf of the media organisations, lamented that the present economic realities in the country have put the media in distress.
•President of the NGE, Mr Eze Anaba
The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) is requesting for 10-year corporate tax relief from the federal government.
The guild presented their demand on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) with the theme “Democracy, Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors”, held at the State House Conference Hall, Abuja.
The President of the NGE, Mr Eze Anaba, who made the call on behalf of the media organisations, lamented that the present economic realities in the country have put the media in distress.
He emphasized that the economic situation in the country has forced some media houses to shut down, while some that struggle to operate cannot pay workers’ salaries.
The NGE boss also called for tax exemption, the establishment of low-interest loans for the media, and a digital transformation and innovation fund.
Anaba further proposed a Media Freedom and Safety Charter to protect journalists from a hostile environment.
•Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
Ethiopia has been selected to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in 2027.
Richard Muyingi, chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), disclosed that Ethiopia’s bid was endorsed last week after the country resubmitted its expression of interest , beating Nigeria in a closely contested bid.
“The matter was discussed by the African group in a meeting last week, and Ethiopia was confirmed as the host of COP32,” Muyingi said.
The hosting of COPs rotates among global regions, with Africa due to host the summit in 2027.
The host country for COP31 is yet to be decided between Turkey and Australia.
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