The Nigerian Council of State has approved President Bola Tinubu’s nominee, Mr. Amupitan, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The decision was reached during a Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where President Tinubu presided over deliberations alongside former heads of state, governors, and key national leaders, as reported by Channels Television.
Mr. Amupitan’s nomination, which will now proceed to the National Assembly for confirmation, marks a pivotal move in the administration’s ongoing electoral reform agenda. He is expected to bring renewed focus to transparency, efficiency, and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. According to The Nation, his appointment follows a series of consultations between the presidency, political parties, and civil society groups to ensure broad acceptance and trust in INEC’s leadership.
Speaking after the meeting, a senior presidential aide said the choice of Amupitan reflects “President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring credible elections that reflect the will of the people.” The aide added that the new chairman is expected to work closely with the National Assembly and security agencies to implement key electoral recommendations from the 2023 general elections.
The new INEC leadership comes at a crucial time as Nigeria prepares for upcoming gubernatorial and local elections in several states. Amupitan’s tenure will be closely watched for his ability to modernize election logistics, deepen voter education, and uphold public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process, as highlighted by Premium Times.
