He takes over an electoral system plagued by controversy, low voter confidence, and pressure to hold fair elections.

He was appointed after the academic from Kogi was unanimously approved by the National Council of State at its meeting held in the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja.

He takes over as INEC Chairman from Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose ten-year term came to an end on Tuesday.

President Bola Tinubu said during the meeting that Amupitan’s apolitical approach, integrity, and flawless service record were the reasons behind his selection.

According to a statement released by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, “President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.”

The nomination was supported by council members, including current and former leaders, who characterized the Professor as a man of demonstrated integrity. Amupitan’s record “reflects a deep commitment to justice, knowledge, and national service,” according to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo.

In accordance with constitutional norms, the President is supposed to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for verification and screening after the council gives its assent.

Amupitan, 58, is from Ayetoro Gbede in Kogi State’s Ijumu Local Government Area. He is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he teaches law. In addition, he is the Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.

Amupitan (SAN) was called by political parties on Thursday to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process by implementing significant institutional reform, neutrality, and openness.

The African Democratic Congress responded to the event by warning Chief, the new electoral arbiter, to stick to the Nigerian people and not political agendas. In order to rebuild public trust in the commission, the Peoples Democratic Party pushed him to give internal purification and extensive election reforms first priority.

Amupitan was appointed on the basis of merit and must exhibit impartiality, integrity, and a dedication to maintaining existing election reforms, according to the ruling All Progressives Congress, which expressed confidence in his appointment.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, called the newly appointed INEC Chair to pledge his allegiance to the Nigerian people instead than the current APC administration in a statement released on Thursday. Abdullahi stated that the coalition party is prepared to give the nominated INEC Chairman the benefit of the doubt, highlighting the necessity of reestablishing public trust in the country’s election system. The Coalition hoped expecting improved performance from Amupitan.

“We are cautious,” he said. However, we anticipate that the newly appointed INEC chairman would be personally motivated to do better and win back the trust of Nigerians and the international community in the country’s election.

He needs to realize that the Nigerian people, not the government, are the object of his allegiance. Given his history, we are prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. However, he now has the choice to either clean up his record and become infamous or establish a solid reputation that his kids would be proud of. Additionally, he should keep in mind that his term will typically extend beyond one election cycle. Therefore, he ought to consider more than just the interests of his assigned people.

Timothy Osadolor, the deputy national youth leader for the PDP, urged Amupitan to carry out changes that will strengthen and expand Nigeria’s democracy.

“Considering his relatively young age of 58 and the fact that he is someone who fortune has blessed among millions of Nigerians, he should be mindful and conscious of the fact that this appointment is not a time for personal aggrandisement or for him to take his pension and settle himself and his family from the Nigerian common patrimony,” the interviewer said in an exclusive interview.

“Amupitan is not at the mercy of President Bola Tinubu and what he dubbed the “cabals in Aso Rock that might have suggested him,” the PDP youth leader contended.

He ought to take advantage of the chance to sign his name in gold. He should use this opportunity to write his name in gold so that future generations will support him. He should remember that the Nigerian people, to whom he owes fealty, are the ones who pay his bills through taxes.

He bears the responsibility for the destiny of more than 200 million Nigerians.

“That burden alone ought to cause him to have restless nights, not in a bad way, but in a way that will serve the interests of Nigerians as a whole,” he continued.
APC applauds the appointment

Bala Ibrahim, the APC’s director of publicity, praised the decision and said that Professor Amupitan was chosen on the basis of merit.

“We anticipate that he will be just,” he stated. He will follow the rules because he was selected based on merit. We anticipate that he will contribute to the election changes implemented by our party.

We anticipate that he will contribute to Nigeria’s democratic process. We anticipate that he would increase Nigerians’ trust in INEC’s objectivity as an electoral official.

“So, we expect him to act in a way that is consistent with the trust that has been placed in him, and we are not expecting anything less than that from him.”

Agenda set by the opposition

As he takes office, opposition leaders have urged the new INEC Chief to put electoral reform, openness, and respect for the law first.
Reacting to Amupitan’s confirmation by the National Council of State on Thursday, Labour Party presidential candidate for the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria People’s Party voiced cautious optimism over his appointment.

They confirmed that Nigerians would keep a careful eye on Amupitan’s performance in several phone interviews

Speaking through Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and his media assistant, Obi stated that a thorough overhaul of Nigeria’s election system should be the incoming INEC head’s first priority.

“The agenda we are setting for him is to start with his tenure with electoral reform. We should ensure that a new electoral reform is on the horizon and ensure you work with it,” he said, adding, “There is something that you cannot take away from Professor Mahmood during his tenure. He tried to refer to the law before taking decisions, though some people may have felt that he was hiding under the law. However, in everything that you see, he would always refer to the provision of the law.” The former governor of Anambra also cautioned the new INEC head to not be intimidated or play to the whims and caprices of the President, as he was responsible for his appointment.

Therefore, even though the procedures that led him to this position may also be questioned, we hope that he will be able to live a moral life. This is owing to the fact that, with all due respect, we are aware that those nominated by the president would typically act in his best interests. He isn’t really a stand-alone candidate. Everybody knows that. All we can do is hope. However, our eyes will be on him. I’m not at bit envious of him. He has a lot to prove, thus he will be carrying a heavy burden.

Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, encouraged Amupitan to base his leadership on the rule of law and take note of the mistakes made during the general elections in 2023.

“We don’t know a much about him. However, we can give someone like that the task of evaluating the commission’s progress and starting to get ready for the upcoming elections,” Johnson stated.

“Amupitan should also make sure his officers comprehend the agenda he is bringing to the table and consider the lessons they have learned from the previous elections. He must inform them as soon as possible, he continued, “whether his goal is to bring free and fair elections, equity, and all.”

Amupitan’s selection as INEC chairman is praised by Mutfwang.

Governments applaud the appointment

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State congratulated the new INEC Chief Thursday, calling him a detribalized leader, a towering figure, a patriotic Nigerian, and a strategic thinker whose enormous contributions have continued to influence the nation’s progress toward democracy and good governance.
In a statement released by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the Governor said, “He has continued to educate generations, shape public policy, and enrich the nation’s intellectual landscape through his pen and podium.”

Amupitan was also commended on his new position by the Kogi State Government.

“Prof. Amupitan’s distinguished career as a distinguished legal scholar, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and esteemed administrator is a testament to his capacity for impartiality, integrity, and intellectual depth — qualities that are vital to the advancement of our electoral system,” said Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, in a statement released on Thursday.

Lawyers respond, George

PDP chieftain Bode George recalled the period of the now-deceased INEC Chair Yakubu, characterizing him as a man destined to confront the spirit of the subpar elections he presided over.

“I know him very well,” the elder statesman stated in an exclusive interview about Yakubu. It is regrettable that he was unable to modernize the election system despite having the chance. The company they hired was previously employed by the Ghana Electoral Commission. Have we not observed Ghana’s electoral process?
He will regret it, I told him. You witnessed his actions throughout the election. Due to exhaustion, they halted the procedure and promised to resume the next day. Later, he attributed the entire incident to a technological malfunction.

“Yakubu is a bright young guy with a decent heart, but he will always be troubled by the election he ran in 2023. He has been thrown under the bus by them. His last remaining option is to face his God and conscience.

Regarding the newly appointed INEC chair, the PDP mainstay stated, “I want Prof. Amupitan to understand that he will reap what he sows.” He ought to take lessons from the past and act morally. As we are now discussing Yakubu, he ought to consider what will be said once his term is done.

The new INEC Chairman has been encouraged by prominent lawyers to maintain openness, withstand political pressure, and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process. In different interviews, the senior advocates stated that his rise offers a unique chance to restore INEC’s reputation and change the nation’s voting culture.

The new INEC leader is “extremely resourceful, prudent, and thorough,” according to Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), a prominent commercial litigator and managing partner of Pinheiro LP, who also said he brings “impeccable credentials and integrity” to the position.

He must support the need to hold legitimate, transparent elections and make sure that votes count, Pinheiro stated, adding that his appointment should be viewed as a national call to duty. Even when the majority has spoken, he must not let himself be sidetracked by people who are constantly demanding their way.

The new Chairman was also counseled by Pinheiro to disregard “the noise on social media,” which he claimed “does not reflect the popular vote.” He cautioned that the silent majority that make grassroots election decisions are frequently not reflected in online sentiment, which frequently represents “only those with smartphones.”

Amupitan’s legal background and current role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, according to former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch Lekan Ojo (SAN), make him a “fit and proper person” for the position. However, he emphasized that his term must be defined by “transparency and integrity.”
Voter apathy has been exacerbated by the widespread belief among Nigerians that their ballots are meaningless. The chairman of INEC needs to rectify this bad reputation and make sure that people once more have faith in the process. He must carry out his responsibilities fearlessly and without favor, Ojo stated, and he must oppose any kind of control or manipulation.

“I appeal to him to make the inner bar proud,” he said, reminding Amupitan that he bears the weight of the legal profession’s reputation. For the first time, a Nigerian Senior Advocate will lead INEC, and he needs to make a lasting impression.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), a public affairs analyst and human rights lawyer, believes that Amupitan’s greatest task will be to remove INEC’s operational inefficiencies and shield it from political influence.

“The INEC chairman is like someone carrying a crate of eggs,” he contended. “He must work with the National Assembly to amend sections of the Electoral Act that encourage manipulation, especially those relating to party primaries and candidate nominations,” Adegboruwa stated, adding that he requires the fortitude, bravery, and resolve to resist outside demands.

“INEC must dismantle its bureaucracy,” he added, urging the incoming INEC leadership to embrace full digitization and open data access. Getting certified documents is a rather slow process. Nigerians should be able to apply, pay, and receive documents promptly using a portal. Candidates post their qualifications online, so why aren’t citizens able to do the same?

Enhancing transparency will reduce election disputes and save the nation billions of dollars in litigation costs, the senior attorney continued.

“People won’t have any motivation to appear in court once they realize the umpire is impartial and the procedure is reliable. That’s how we can rebuild our democracy’s dignity and trust,” he said.
Amupitan attended the Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin before graduating from the University of Jos with a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in law.

Amupitan, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, has accumulated more than thirty years of academic and managerial experience. In 2014, he was appointed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and has authored numerous works on evidence law, corporate governance, and company law.

Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), and Principles of Company Law (2013) are some of his published works.

Amupitan has held positions on a number of boards outside of academia, such as the Council of Legal Education, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom.

In addition, he was on the board of Riss Oil Limited in Abuja from 1996 until 2004. The Kogi-born academic, who is married and has four kids, is referred to by peers as “a jurist of quiet influence.” Amupitan would be the 15th INEC chairman of Nigeria if the Senate confirms him.