(DDM) – The newly confirmed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has firmly denied allegations that he was part of the legal team representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 presidential election tribunal.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Professor Amupitan made the clarification during his Senate confirmation hearing in Abuja, where he addressed concerns raised by some lawmakers and civil society groups over his alleged political affiliations.
The law professor, who previously served as Dean of Law at the University of Jos, told the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters that he was never involved, directly or indirectly, in any legal proceedings connected to the 2023 presidential election dispute.
Amupitan presented certified true copies of tribunal and Supreme Court documents to the Senate as evidence of his claim, saying the rumours were fabricated to discredit his reputation and question his eligibility for the INEC chairmanship.
“I was never part of the 2023 presidential tribunal or any legal team for President Tinubu or the APC,” he stated emphatically. “My integrity and independence are my strongest assets, and I will protect them throughout my tenure.”
The newly confirmed INEC boss stressed that his priority would be to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and ensure that future elections are transparent, credible, and technologically improved.
He said his leadership would focus on building institutional trust, improving voter education, and strengthening the commission’s internal audit mechanisms to prevent electoral malpractice.
Amupitan’s confirmation by the Nigerian Senate on Thursday followed his nomination and subsequent approval by the National Council of State, officially marking the end of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as INEC Chairman.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while congratulating Amupitan, urged him to “safeguard the independence of INEC and resist any political pressure capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy.”
Akpabio reminded the new INEC boss that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend on how effectively his leadership reforms the commission’s processes and rebuilds voter trust after the controversial 2023 polls.
Political observers note that Amupitan’s appointment comes at a time of growing skepticism about electoral integrity in Nigeria, following widespread public dissatisfaction with the last general election, which saw allegations of vote manipulation, delayed transmission of results, and compromised logistics.
Civil society organisations have since called on the new INEC chairman to prioritize electoral reforms, including the immediate audit of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and stricter sanctions against electoral offenders.
Professor Amupitan assured lawmakers that he intends to collaborate closely with both state and federal authorities, as well as local and international observers, to ensure that the commission operates without bias or external influence.
He also pledged to uphold constitutional values and ensure that INEC remains an impartial umpire in all electoral matters.
With his confirmation now official, Amupitan assumes office amid both public scrutiny and cautious optimism, as Nigerians await evidence of a new direction for the nation’s electoral management body.