Tinubu names Amupitan as new INEC chair after north‑central push

Nigeria’s search for a new elections chief doubled as a regional balancing act.

President Bola Tinubu has named Joash Ojo Amupitan as chair of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, capping weeks of manoeuvring that tilted the race toward the north-central zone ahead of pivotal 2027 polls. The appointment is subject to Senate screening and confirmation.

The pick was given unanimous approval by Nigeria’s National Council of State, according to a statement posted on X by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga on Thursday.

Tinubu met former presidents and heads of state on 10 October to review options. Although the constitution sets no “federal character” quota for INEC leadership, pressure to correct what northern figures see as an historic imbalance shaped the final shortlist. “Of the 12 chairs since inception, 10 have come from the South and only two from the North,” wrote Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to Muhammadu Buhari, in a recent post.
An individual close to Amupitan, who had earlier said he was the favourite, confirmed he had secured the nod after clearing security vetting. Amupitan, from Kogi state, is a law professor and deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Jos. He has appeared in high-profile election petitions, including for former senator Dino Melaye.

Remi Aiyede, professor of political science at the University of Ibadan, said the optics of regional balancing should not eclipse independence. “Appointing a candidate from the south-west will not look good on the image of the president and INEC. The chairmanship of INEC is not dependent on federal character so the idea of rotation should not come into play,” he said. He added that perceived neutrality is central to public trust.
Other names in contention had included Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, a Court of Appeal justice from Nasarawa; Sam Olumekun, a serving INEC national commissioner from Ondo; and Kenneth Ukeagu, a former INEC director of procurement from Abia.
What Amupitan inherits

Amupitan succeeds Mahmood Yakubu, the commission’s longest-serving head after two five-year terms. Yakubu’s tenure delivered operational upgrades yet struggled to stem falling turnout and public scepticism. “In the last 10 years, INEC has grown in technical competence, but some reforms have fallen short as public trust and turnout keep drifting down,” said Samson Itodo, head of the civic group Yiaga Africa, who also cited rising political interference.
The immediate test will be to steady operations, defend INEC’s autonomy and prepare credible nationwide elections in 2027 – all against a fractious partisan backdrop and patchy security.