President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, to defend the integrity of Nigeria’s elections, describing credible polls as the bedrock of any democracy.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja shortly after administering the oath of office to the new INEC chairman, Tinubu stated that Amupitan’s nomination, which was affirmed by the Senate a week ago, was a vote of confidence in his ability and character by both the executive and legislative branches of government.
“I, therefore, urge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this assignment, to protect the integrity of our elections and the electoral process and the institutional capacity of INEC, and I wish you success on your first assignment in November 2025, which is the governorship election of Anambra state.
“As the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, your nomination and confirmation are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you.
“This marks the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy, which has lasted since 1999, had evolved through reforms, innovation, and lessons learned from past challenges.
“Our democracy has come a long way. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly our electoral system. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach,” Tinubu noted.
The President noted that while no electoral system is flawless, credibility and transparency at every stage, be it registration, campaigning, voting, and results collation, remain critical to sustaining public trust.
“Elections safeguard the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future.
“We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow,” he added.
Tinubu asked Amupitan to promote openness, inclusivity, and nonviolence in future elections.
Shortly after the event, Amupitan informed reporters that he would uphold the Constitution and work with all stakeholders to ensure credible elections.
“I’ve just taken the oath of allegiance and the oath as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“I reaffirm my commitment to defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they relate to the electoral system.
“Like the president said, I have been given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections, and that I will ensure,” he said.
The new INEC chairman stated that his administration will prioritize partnership with political parties, civil society organizations, and security agencies.
“No matter how well you design the system, success requires the cooperation of all stakeholders,” he said.
Amupitan follows Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the longest-serving INEC Chairman, who has led the Commission since 2015.
He took the oath of office at 1:50 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
