The Nigerian Senate is set to screen Professor Joash Amupitan, the nominee of President Bola Tinubu for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
This was confirmed in a circular issued on Wednesday by Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information at the Senate, and shared with journalists in Abuja.
The screening will take place at the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly Complex.
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read President Tinubu’s letter formally requesting Amupitan’s confirmation on the Senate floor.
“The Senate will on Thursday conduct the screening of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, the nominee of President Bola Tinubu, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the statement read.
Media houses, particularly television stations, were encouraged to provide live coverage of the proceedings, while members of the Senate Press Corps were also asked to ensure full media dissemination of the event.
Amupitan’s nomination comes in the wake of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s departure, marking the end of a decade-long tenure as INEC chairman.
The nomination was approved last week by the National Council of State, signaling the beginning of a leadership transition within the electoral body.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu cited Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the legal basis for the appointment, and appealed for a swift confirmation.
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” Tinubu stated.
The nomination of Amupitan, described by the presidency as “an apolitical figure of impeccable integrity”, comes amid heightened public scrutiny of INEC’s independence following the 2023 general elections, which were marred by controversies over logistics and transparency.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have since called for a thorough and transparent confirmation process, urging the Senate to ensure the nominee is capable of steering electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
