By Henry Umoru, Abuja
Newly confirmed Chairman of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), has pledged to conduct elections which are free, honest, and credible, assuring that below his watch, “losers could have each purpose to congratulate winners.”
Amupitan made the pledge on Thursday throughout his screening and affirmation by the Senate, following his nomination by President Bola Tinubu. He confronted senators for over three hours, answering questions on electoral reforms, neutrality, and the integrity of Nigeria’s voting course of.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio introduced the affirmation after a unanimous voice vote, declaring that Amupitan was permitted with none dissenting opinion.
“He’s hereby confirmed with none dissenting voice. Go and be sure that votes depend,” Akpabio informed him.
Through the screening, Amupitan assured lawmakers that his management of INEC could be guided by transparency and accountability, including that credible elections stay the bedrock of democracy.
“My imaginative and prescient is to make sure that elections in Nigeria are so clear that even those that lose will congratulate the winners. That’s the degree of credibility we should obtain for nationwide progress,” he stated.
He promised to strengthen voter training, improve logistics administration, and undertake improved technological measures to forestall manipulation of outcomes and safeguard electoral supplies.
Amupitan additionally addressed questions on his political neutrality, firmly denying stories that he had served as authorized counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) within the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal or on the Supreme Court docket.
“The legislation stories are public and verifiable. I used to be not a part of any authorized staff representing any political get together or candidate,” he clarified.
Earlier, Senate Chief Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved a movement to droop Order 12 to confess the nominee into the chamber, seconded by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South). Amupitan entered at 12:50 p.m. and offered his credentials earlier than responding to senators’ questions.
Earlier than the screening, Akpabio knowledgeable the chamber that Amupitan had been cleared by the Workplace of the Nationwide Safety Adviser (NSA), the Division of State Providers (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Power, all confirming he had no prison file.
President Tinubu had earlier, in a letter learn by Akpabio on Tuesday, requested the Senate to display and make sure Amupitan in accordance with Part 154(1) of the 1999 Structure (as amended).
The President’s letter learn partly: “In accordance with the provisions of Part 154 subsection 1 of the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, I’m happy to current for affirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman, Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC).”
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Legislation, has held a number of tutorial and administrative positions within the authorized and academic sectors. His affirmation marks a brand new section in INEC’s management, with renewed public expectations for credible elections throughout the nation.
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