…Council of State gives nod
… Awaits Senate confirmation
BY CAROLINE AMEH with agency report
ABUJA — The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), a law scholar from the University of Jos, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Bola Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination at the Council’s meeting in Abuja on Thursday, following the completion of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure in October.
Presidential spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said the President described Amupitan as “apolitical, competent, and a man of integrity,” noting that he is the first person from Kogi State in the North-Central region to be nominated for the top electoral position.
Council members unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, hailing the choice as “a vote of confidence in merit and character.”
In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He is currently a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, and also serves as Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan is an expert in Company Law, Corporate Governance, and the Law of Evidence. He obtained his LL.B, LL.M, and Ph.D degrees from the University of Jos, where he has taught since 1989.
He has authored several legal texts, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles and Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria.
Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.
