Tinubu to Amupitan: Make 2027 polls transparent, violence-free

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday charged the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, to prioritise transparency and non-violence as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, saying credible polls remained the foundation of public trust and democratic stability.

Speaking at the State House in Abuja shortly after administering the oath of office on the new INEC boss, Tinubu said Amupitan’s appointment, confirmed by the Senate a week ago, was a mark of confidence in his competence and character by both the executive and legislative arms of government.

“I, therefore, urge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this assignment, to protect the integrity of our elections and the electoral process and the institutional capacity of INEC, and I wish you success on your first assignment in November 2025, which is the governorship election of Anambra state,” Tinubu said.

“As the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, your nomination and confirmation are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you,” Tinubu said, adding, “This marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism.”

He said, “To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected, all aspects of the process from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non-violent and credible.

“Elections safeguard the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future.

“We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.”

Tinubu urged Amupitan to prioritise transparency, inclusivity, and non-violence in future polls.

Shortly after the ceremony, Amupitan told State House correspondents that he would uphold the Constitution and engage all stakeholders in the pursuit of credible elections.

“I’ve just taken the oath of allegiance and the oath as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. I reaffirm my commitment to defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they relate to the electoral system. Like the President said, I have been given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections, and that I will ensure,” he said.

The new INEC boss said his leadership would prioritise collaboration with political parties, civil society organisations, and security agencies.

“No matter how well you design the system, success requires the cooperation of all stakeholders,” he said.

Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is the longest-serving INEC chairman yet, having overseen the commission since 2015.

He took the oath of office at 1:50 pm at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law at the University of Jos, was confirmed by the Senate on October 16, 2025, following his endorsement by the National Council of State.

The National Council of State had approved his nomination on October 9, two days after Yakubu’s exit.

Since the 1993 cycle, Nigeria’s election umpires have come from a handful of zones. The South-East produced Prof. Humphrey Nwosu from Anambra, who supervised the famed June 12, 1993 polls, and later Prof. Maurice Iwu (Imo), who oversaw the 2007 polls.

The South-South produced multiple chairpersons during the transition years. These include Okon Uya from Cross River, who served briefly after June 12, Sumner Dagogo-Jack from Rivers, who served as NECON chairman under Abacha, Justice Ephraim Akpata from Edo State, who oversaw the 1999 transition and Dr. Abel Guobadia (Edo) in 2003.

From 2010, the tide tilted to the North with the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega from Kano State (North-West), who oversaw the 2011 and 2015 elections and is widely credited with restoring confidence after the 2007 cycle.

He was succeeded by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu from Bauchi (North-East), who conducted the 2019 and 2023 polls, and expanded the use of biometrics and other forms of tech.

Amupitan is the first INEC chief from Kogi, North-Central.

Upon assuming duties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Amupitan vowed to restore credibility and public confidence in the country’s electoral system, declaring his appointment as a “divine” call to serve the nation.

Speaking during his first official meeting with the commission’s directors, he stressed that fulfilling the commission’s mandate would depend on teamwork, discipline, and integrity within the organisation.

The INEC chairman stated that his mission was to conduct free, fair, and credible elections while strengthening democratic values across the country.

“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.

Addressing INEC staff and directors, the university don pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

“As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.

The INEC chairman described the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election as a defining moment for the commission.

“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.

“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion.

“Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task, and let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.

While promising to make staff welfare a central part of his agenda, he acknowledged that the commission’s workforce played a vital role in ensuring credible elections.

“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority.

“We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” the new INEC chairman assured staff members.

Amupitan, accompanied by his wife, children, and senior officials from the University of Jos, expressed gratitude to his academic colleagues, who celebrated his appointment.

“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very herculean and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.

Despite the weight of his new responsibilities, he said he was ready for the challenge.

“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, ‘I don’t envy you.’ But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead.

“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections,” he said.