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.

•Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo

Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, says that wearing branded outfits bearing President Bola Tinubu’s insignia is now a must for the members of his cabinet

Okpebholo assets that the directive is a way of showing their support for the president.

The directive was given on Tuesday during the swearing-in of newly appointed commissioners and inauguration of commissions and boards of agencies in Benin.

While attributing his emergence as governor to Tinubu, Okpebholo stated that loyalty to the president must be reflected even in appearance.

“This could not have happened if we did not have a responsible president. We have done many elections here, and the major problem we have had is that the president is not with us, but today we say thank you.

“I will not forgive any commissioner that is not wearing this cap. In our exco meetings, if you are not wearing a suit and you are coming to the meeting without this Asiwaju cap, you will go back,” Okpebholo said.

“The ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 will be concluded in or before December 2025.”

Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), gave the assurance, affirming that the amendment would be used for the 2027 general elections.

However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) kicked against the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly to bring forward the 2027 general elections to November 2026, saying it would hinder governance.

Bamidele explained that the only reason the Muhammadu Buhari administration was unable to sign the last aspect of the electoral amendment bill was that the National Assembly transmitted it late to the Presidency.

He disclosed this in a statement after the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, read President Bola Tinubu’s request to confirm Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Bamidele further explained: “Before then, we had made our first proposal. We sent the bill to the then-president, and it was signed.

When further observations were made, especially when certain individuals were disenfranchised as statutory delegates and the National Assembly sought to make corrections, the late Buhari stated that the bill was coming too close to the election.

“Buhari then observed that he did not want to be misunderstood by the public.

That is why the bill was not signed then. Between now and December 2025, we will ensure that the amendment of the Electoral Act, 2022, is concluded so that it will not be too close to the 2027 Elections.”