*Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, Thursday, October 23, 2025, took the oath of office as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, in the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Thursday, October 23, 2025, in Abuja, FCT, swore in Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, as the sixth substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Amupitan took the oath of office as the new Chairman of INEC at a ceremony held in the State House Council Chambers.

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President Tinubu urged the new INEC Chief to serve with integrity and beyond reproach.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Thursday stated President Tinubu said: 鈥淵our nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government.

鈥淭his significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism.鈥�

President Tinubu noted that the country had been on a path of democratic governance and learning since 1999, with notable achievements in the strengthening of various institutions.

Tinubu stated: 鈥淥ur democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms.

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鈥淲e have learned a great deal along the way and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society.

鈥淭he electoral process is a vital part of a democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach,鈥� he added.

President Tinubu stated that the governorship election on November 8, 2025, in Anambra State will serve as a litmus test for the new leadership of the electoral commission.

鈥淚t is important that our elections are free, fair and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.鈥�

He also noted: 鈥淭o maintain public trust in the election, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process 鈥� from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non鈥搗iolent and credible.

鈥淣o electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation鈥檚 future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient and safeguarded against artificial setback.

鈥淚, therefore, charge you, Prof Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.

It is recalled that the swearing-in ceremony followed the Senate鈥檚 confirmation of the INEC Chairman鈥檚 nomination October 16.

Others in attendance at the evet were Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Vice-President Kashim Shettima; President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and Kwara State Governor and Chairman of NGF, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the swearing-in of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ran from 2015 to 2025.

The 58-year-old academic outlined his plans to reform Nigeria鈥檚 electoral system, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public trust in the commission at the screening.

The new INEC Chairman will assume office immediately, Onanuga said in the statement.