Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The President’s request was communicated through a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and was read during a plenary session on Tuesday.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the National Council of State had unanimously approved the appointment of Prof. Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman on October 9. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, is set to replace Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who completed his tenure at the commission.

In his letter, President Tinubu emphasized that the confirmation of the INEC chairman aligns with the provisions of section 154, subsection 1 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. He expressed his anticipation for the Senate to confirm Prof. Amupitan’s appointment promptly, highlighting the nominee’s qualifications and providing his curriculum vitae for review.

Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the President’s request to the Committee of the Whole for additional legislative consideration.