President Tinubu Tasks New INEC Chairman, Amupitan, To Ensure Transparent and Violence-Free Elections

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a clear mandate to the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, instructing him to prioritize transparency and eliminate violence in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.

The directive came after Professor Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos, was nominated by the President and received unanimous approval from the National Council of State to head the electoral body. Professor Amupitan takes the helm following the end of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure in October 2025.

In setting the stage for the new INEC leadership, the President stressed that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process hinges on the conduct of future elections. The instruction, “Make 2027 polls transparent, violence-free,” reflects a commitment to addressing the widespread concerns over electoral malpractice and security challenges that have often overshadowed the results of past polls.

The new Chairman’s tenure is expected to focus on consolidating recent technological advancements while tackling institutional and logistical hurdles. Stakeholders across the country are keenly watching to see how Professor Amupitan will leverage his academic and administrative experience to restore public confidence in the electoral umpire and deliver on the President’s mandate for a truly peaceful and transparent democratic exercise in 2027.