… Suspends debate on Electoral Act Repeal Bill, calls for further consultations
BY CAROLINE AMEH
ABUJA – The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following extensive screening by lawmakers.
Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served as Chairman between 2015 and 2025.
During the screening, Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Kogi State, denied leading President Bola Tinubu’s legal team at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, saying he neither led nor appeared at the tribunal.
He pledged to work closely with agencies like the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enhance election transparency and credibility.
“I will audit the system to identify weaknesses and collaborate with relevant agencies to deliver technology Nigerians can trust,” he said, stressing that logistics challenges remain a major obstacle to credible elections.
Amupitan also called for the establishment of an electoral offences commission to prosecute electoral offenders and deter malpractice.
Kogi Senator, Sunday Karimi praised his nomination, saying, “This is the first time Kogi is having one of its own as INEC Chairman. He will not disappoint Nigerians.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his closing remarks, wished Amupitan success and urged him to strengthen electoral transparency and credibility.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate suspended indefinitely the debate on the bill proposing the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Bill 2025
During yesterday’s plenary, lawmakers requested additional time for thorough consultations on the matter before proceeding.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio raised concerns about moving forward with the general principles of the bill without fully understanding its detailed provisions.
He questioned the rationale behind passing the bill’s framework before reviewing its specific clauses.
Earlier in the week, the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong, conducted a public hearing on the bill on Monday and subsequently presented it for Second Reading.
However, the absence of the bill’s detailed clauses during the presentation prompted Akpabio to query Lalong on the appropriateness of proceeding with the debate under such circumstances.
Emphasizing the need for clarity, Senator Akpabio highlighted the importance of Senators comprehensively understanding the particular amendments proposed. He referenced previous challenges and irregularities in implementing the Electoral Act, underscoring the necessity of careful scrutiny.
The Senate is expected to resume discussions once further consultations have been conducted to address these concerns.
