The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is expected to officially assume office next week, ahead of the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.
Sources in the apex electoral body informed NIGERIA PROJECT that Amupitan would formally take over the reins of the commission after his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu, a ceremony traditionally conducted at the Federal Executive Council meeting, expected to be held next week.
“Prof. Amupitan will assume office on the day he is sworn in by the President.
“The tradition is that he gets sworn in before a Federal Executive Council meeting, and he would be escorted by INEC National Commissioners to resume office immediately,” a senior official involved in the transition process said.
An INEC Director confirmed that while the exact date remains uncertain, the swearing-in is imminent.
“He will assume his position after his inauguration,” the official said.
Activity within the commission also suggested that preparations are underway for Amupitan’s arrival.
An insider revealed, “I heard some of his ‘personal staff’ have been showing up at the commission, hoping he will be sworn in during the FEC meeting.”
Another insider added, “I learnt that he may likely assume office next week.”
Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law at the University of Jos and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was confirmed as INEC Chairman by the Senate last Thursday after a voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Prof. Amupitan confirmation followed a rigorous screening process during which he responded to a range of questions posed by lawmakers.
President Tinubu had earlier nominated Amupitan, widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law, to replace Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who recently concluded his tenure.
In the interim, National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, who has been serving as the Acting INEC Chairman, recently chaired various stakeholder meetings at the commission’s headquarters.
