President Tinubu said this at a brief ceremony inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he swore-in Amupitan as the INEC chair­man.

The president charged Amupitan to advance Nigeria’s democratic process by ensuring that polls are credible and without blemish.

While acknowledging that no elector­al process is perfect, Tinubu said INEC under Amupitan’s leadership must work to strengthen institutional capacity.

“I, therefore, charge you, Professor, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our elections and electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.”

Recall that Amupitan following his ap­pointment and endorsement by the National Council of State, was recently screened by the Senate ahead of his swearing-in.

 He replaces Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the substantive chair­man of the national electoral um­pire, INEC.

Tasking Amupitan on the new role, Tinubu said, “Your nomina­tion to the important role and your subsequent confirmation by the Senate is a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the exec­utive and the legislative arm of government.

“The significant achievement marks the beginning of a chal­lenging yet rewarding journey and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity,dedica­tion and patriotism.

“Our democracy has come a long way, for 25 years we have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions particularly our democratic sys­tems through innovations and re­forms. We have learnt 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 multifaceted society.

“The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy safe­guarding the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future to ensure that our democracy continues to flour­ish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach. It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible. We must continue to improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and indi­cating for today

“To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected, all aspect of the process from registration to campaigning, immediate access, voting and counting should be transparent, non violent and very credible.

“No electoral system is flaw­less, but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen insti­tutions ensuring they are robust, resilient and safeguarded against artificial setbacks.

“I therefore charge you, Pro­fessor Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our elections and electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC”.

Amupitan Assumes Duty, De­scribes Appointment As Divine Call

Meanwhile, the newly ap­pointed Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, on Thurs­day, officially assumed office at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, describing his appoint­ment as a divine call to national service.

Amupitan, who was sworn in earlier in the day by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, succeeds Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who had served as Acting Chairman fol­lowing the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Speaking at a brief handover ceremony, Amupitan expressed gratitude to God for what he de­scribed as a “divine assignment,” pledging to lead the commission with integrity, transparency, and discipline.

“I believe my coming here is for a divine purpose. If I had the option, I might have chosen differ­ently, but it is clear that God is di­recting the affairs of this country. Since He has said go, who am I to resist? I am here to play my part in birthing a new Nigeria,” he said.

The new INEC boss, who was accompanied by his wife, chil­dren, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, along with other senior of­ficials of the institution where he previously served, assured staff of his commitment to their wel­fare, capacity development, and professional growth.

Amupitan underscored the importance of teamwork, ac­countability, and dedication to credible elections, stressing that the success of the commission depends on collaboration among its departments and staff.

“Our responsibility is clear, to deliver elections that are free, fair, and truly reflect the will of the people. The integrity of our electoral process is not negotiable. Every Nigerian must have confi­dence that their vote counts,” he stated.

He also promised to prioritise staff welfare and provide the enabling environment for excel­lence.

“We will demand the best from you, but in turn, we will ensure that you are well supported, mo­tivated, and equipped to perform your duties effectively,” Amupi­tan said.

Acknowledging the enormous task ahead, he said the forthcom­ing Anambra governorship elec­tion scheduled for November 8, 2025, would be a test of INEC’s commitment to credible polls and a demonstration of its institution­al readiness.

“The task ahead is enormous, but together, we can surmount every challenge. The eyes of the nation are upon us, and we must prove ourselves worthy of the trust placed in this institution,” he added.

Amupitan commended Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu for her leader­ship during the transition peri­od, describing her tenure as one marked by stability and profes­sionalism.

He also thanked INEC staff for their commitment to duty and urged them to remain unit­ed and focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

Earlier in her handover re­marks, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated Prof. Amupitan on his appointment, describing the transition as a moment of renewal and continuity in the commission’s journey.

“Today marks a significant moment in the life of our com­mission and indeed in our na­tion’s democratic journey. It is a day of continuity, renewal, and steadfast commitment to the ide­als of credible elections and good governance,” she said.

The former Acting Chairman noted that Amupitan’s appoint­ment was a recognition of his distinguished record as a legal scholar, administrator, and patri­ot, adding that he was assuming office at a critical time as INEC concludes preparations for the Anambra election.

She disclosed that four Nation­al Commissioners were already in Anambra State on a readiness assessment visit — a standard pre-election exercise to ensure logistics, materials, and person­nel are in place.

According to her, Amupitan is taking over a commission built on a strong foundation laid by for­mer Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, under whose leadership INEC introduced landmark tech­nological reforms, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Sys­tem (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“The foundation has been laid; the path is defined. What lies ahead is the building, the consoli­dation, and the forward march,” Agbamuche-Mbu said.

She expressed confidence in Amupitan’s capacity to lead, de­scribing the commission’s staff as resilient, professional, and pa­triotic public servants who will fully support his administration.

“I am confident that under your leadership, Professor Amupitan, the commission will soar to even greater heights and further strengthen the foundation of our democracy,” she stated.

Agbamuche-Mbu formally pre­sented the handover notes and key administrative documents to the new chairman, wishing him a ten­ure marked by “wisdom, integrity, innovation, and enduring impact.”

“On behalf of the National Commissioners, Resident Elec­toral Commissioners, Directors, and all staff of the commission, I once again congratulate you and wish you great success as you take on this noble and demanding responsibility,” she said.