Abuja – The National Council of State has granted approval for Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), from Kogi State, to serve as the new Chairman of INEC. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put forward Amupitan as the candidate to assume the open role, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu. Professor Yakubu held the position from 2015 until October 2025.
The National Council of State has unanimously approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025.
President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central State, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical. Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity.”
In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.
Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State.
