Tinubu: Why I Chose Amupitan As INEC Chairman

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has disclosed that he chose Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because of his political neutrality, integrity and impeccable record of service.
A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said: “President Tinubu told the National Council of State that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.”
Recall at the Council, at its meeting on Thursday, October 9, unanimously approved Tinubu’s nomination of Amupitan to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose 10-year tenure as INEC chairman ended on Tuesday, October 7, when he proceeded on terminal leave and handed over to the most senior commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu.
Council members, including serving and former leaders, endorsed the nomination, describing the Amupitan as a man of proven integrity, with Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, saying his track record “reflects a deep commitment to justice, knowledge and national service.”
The Council ratified the nomination of Amupitan, a professor of Law, in compliance with the constitution, and with this Tinubu is expected to forward his name to the senate for screening and confirmation.
With its antecedents, Amupitan’s confirmation is expected to scale through easily, after which he will be inaugurated by the President.
Born on 25 April 1967, Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, after completing primary and secondary education, attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and University of Jos (UNIJOS), from 1984 to 1987. He undertook his national service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and bagged an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989.
He currently serves as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) at the UNIJOS, as well as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Amupitan was at various times, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008),UNIJOS.
In addition, is a Board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, Plateau State, member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014) and Board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996-2004).
The incoming INEC boss is the author of many books on law, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
A Law professor at the University of Jos, Plateau State, his alma mater, Amupitan, who specialised in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law,was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.
Amupitan will be the 13th substantive chairperson of the electoral body since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
Others were Eyo Esua (1964-1966); Michael Ani (1976-1979); Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980-1983); Eme Awa (1987-1989); Humphrey Nwosu (1989-1993); Okon Uya (June-November 1993); Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994-1998); Ephraim Akpata (1998-2000); Abel Guobadia (2000-2005); Maurice Iwu (2005-2010); Attahiru Jega (2010-2015); and Yakubu (2015-2025).
The electoral body, called different names at different times, has had two acting chairpersons, both female- Amina Zakari (June-November, 2015) and Agbamuche-Mbu.
Amupitan’s baptism on the job would be his supervision of the conduct of the November 8 Anambra governorship election, less than one month after his appointment.