By Sola Ojewusi
Abuja, Nigeria – The political and legal circles in Nigeria are abuzz with speculation as Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), a distinguished scholar of law and renowned university administrator, emerges as the likely nominee for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Multiple sources close to the Presidency have hinted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to submit Amupitan’s name to the National Assembly in the coming days as successor to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose ten-year tenure winds down in early December 2025.
A senior government official who requested anonymity described the choice of Amupitan as “a refreshing signal of integrity and competence.”
“If the President truly seeks an INEC that can command respect across partisan divides, Professor Amupitan fits the bill. His record is stainless. His scholarship, administrative experience, and personal character are exactly what Nigeria needs at this critical time,” the source told this reporter.
The said nomination process follows a dramatic turn of events earlier in the week when President Tinubu reportedly directed Prof. Yakubu to proceed on terminal leave amid concerns over last-minute policy moves within the Commission. While the Presidency has not officially confirmed these reports, the development has triggered a search for a successor capable of reinforcing public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
A Pedigree of Excellence
Prof. Amupitan, 61, is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished legal minds. A native of Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, he boasts more than three decades of academic and professional service. After earning his law degree from the University of Jos in 1987 and being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, he pursued a Master of Law in 1993 and a Ph.D. in 2007, both from the same university.
He rose steadily through the academic ranks, becoming a Professor of Law in 2008 and holding key positions including Head of Department of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors, and member of the Governing Council of the University of Jos. He currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and was recently appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University.
In 2014, Amupitan was elevated to the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a recognition of his contributions to legal scholarship and practice. His areas of expertise—Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Electoral Reform—align closely with the technical demands of Nigeria’s electoral management.
Voices of Support
Prominent Nigerians have begun to speak publicly about his potential nomination.
A Professor of International Law who prefers anonymity described Amupitan as “a man of deep intellect and unquestionable rectitude.”
ln his words, “Joash Amupitan is not a politician in disguise. He is a jurist in the purest sense of the word. If he is appointed, Nigerians can expect an umpire who treats the Constitution as sacred.”
Similarly, Ms. Esther Uzoma, a civil society activist and election observer, noted that Amupitan’s “impeccable pedigree stands out at a time when public trust in INEC is under strain.”
“Nigeria needs someone who is not only technically competent but also morally unassailable. From everything we know of Prof. Amupitan, he embodies those qualities,” she said.
A Critical Appointment
The appointment of a new INEC chairman comes at a politically sensitive time. President Tinubu, who is widely expected to seek re-election in 2027, faces pressure to demonstrate a commitment to free and credible elections. Observers say the choice of Amupitan could serve as an olive branch to opposition parties and civil society groups that have expressed skepticism about the independence of the electoral body.
“This appointment will be one of the defining moments of Tinubu’s presidency,” said a senior political analyst in Abuja. “Choosing a man of Amupitan’s standing sends a message that the administration is ready to strengthen democratic institutions.”
As Nigeria waits for official confirmation from the Presidency, the question on many lips is simple: with a profile steeped in scholarship, integrity, and national service, Amupitan as INEC Chairman—why not?
