The Senate is set to conduct the screening of Professor Joash Amupitan, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday. This was announced in a circular issued on Wednesday by the Director of Information of the Senate, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, and shared with journalists in Abuja.
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after President Tinubu’s letter requesting Amupitan’s confirmation was formally read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to the circular, the screening will be held in the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly Complex.
“The Office of the Secretary, Research and Information wishes to notify members of the Press and the general public that the Senate will on Thursday, 16th October, 2025, conduct the screening of the nominee of President Bola Tinubu, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, as INEC Chairman. The exercise is scheduled to hold at the Senate Chamber, National Assembly Complex. Members of the Senate Press Corps are kindly requested to provide their usual media coverage and support to ensure adequate dissemination of information to the public. Similarly, television stations are expected to extend the usual courtesies of providing live coverage of the event,” the circular read.
Amupitan’s nomination, which was endorsed last week by the National Council of State, marks a significant transition for INEC following the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu after a decade at the helm of the commission.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu stated that the appointment was made in line with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and urged lawmakers to give it their “usual expeditious consideration.”
“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 President said.
Amupitan’s nomination comes amid renewed discussions about INEC’s independence and credibility, particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections. While the presidency has described him as “an apolitical figure of impeccable integrity,” opposition parties and civil society organisations have called on the Senate to ensure a transparent and thorough confirmation process.
Thursday’s screening is expected to attract national attention, as it may influence future electoral reforms and signal the administration’s commitment to credible elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
About the Author
