ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-President Tinubu has requested the Senate to confirm Professor Joash Amupitan as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
During Tuesday’s plenary, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, read the letter containing the request along with other communications from the President seeking approval for various appointments.
The President urged lawmakers to give the nomination their “usual expeditious consideration.” According to Tinubu, the nomination aligns with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
READ MORE:Tinubu Nominates Joash Amupitan As New INEC Chairman
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the letter stated.
He also attached the nominee’s curriculum vitae for review and ended the letter by extending his highest regards to the Senate President.
In response, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for consideration “as soon as practicable.”
In a separate correspondence, Tinubu sought Senate confirmation for the appointment of Mrs. Ayo Omidiran as the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, along with 28 others as Federal Commissioners including Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara State.
It will be recalled that the National Council of State had unanimously endorsed Amupitan’s appointment as the new INEC chairman.
The President presented his name to the Council during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
The appointment follows the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s 10-year tenure in October 2025.
Tinubu informed the Council that Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law from Kogi State, is the first nominee for the position from the North-Central region.
“In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening,” a statement by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga read.