President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), appeared before the Senate on Thursday for screening.
Amupitan arrived at the National Assembly earlier in the day, accompanied by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo and several associates.
He was led into the Senate Chamber by Senator Abubakar Lado, the Presidential aide on National Assembly Matters (Senate).
At about 12:50 p.m., Amupitan was already seated in the Red Chamber, awaiting the start of the session.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the nominee, his family members, and other well-wishers to the Chamber before announcing the start of the screening at 12:55 p.m.
Akpabio explained that the exercise would include a review of the nominee’s credentials, followed by questions from lawmakers to assess his competence, integrity, and readiness to lead the nation’s electoral body.
The screening marks a critical step in the confirmation process for Amupitan, who was recently nominated by President Tinubu to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the next INEC Chairman.
Lawmakers are expected to question the nominee on election management, transparency, voter confidence, and the Commission’s preparedness for upcoming elections.
Details of the screening are expected to emerge later as the Senate continues its deliberations.