A former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has described the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, as a man of integrity and principle, but warned that the complex internal politics within INEC could challenge those values.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Odinkalu said that though he had known Amupitan since their days in law school, leading INEC is an entirely different challenge.

“Joash is a decent man, a man of basic integrity. I’ve known him for nearly four decades. I don’t see him presiding over an election that ends up with four conflicting results like what we saw in Edo,” Odinkalu said.

He, however, cautioned that Amupitan’s integrity alone might not be enough to withstand the “multiple principalities”, a term he used to describe the entrenched interests within the electoral body.

“INEC is not an ordinary institution. It is filled with competing power centres. Every major politician, from the presidency down to governors, has loyalists planted inside the commission,” Odinkalu noted.

“That’s the danger, the integrity of one person can be strained by the vested interests surrounding him.”

Odinkalu urged the new INEC chairman to set clear priorities and focus on measurable progress, especially with the Anambra governorship election just around the corner.

“He can’t fix everything in one day, but he must decide what his immediate goals are. The Anambra election on November 8 is his first real test. People will judge him by how he handles that,” he said.

The human rights advocate added that the Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun governorship elections would serve as “testing grounds” for Amupitan’s leadership style ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“These polls are like laboratories. How INEC performs there will give Nigerians an idea of what to expect in 2027,” he explained.

President Bola Tinubu officially swore in Professor Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman on Thursday, following his Senate confirmation on October 16.

During the ceremony, the President tasked him with protecting the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and strengthening INEC’s institutional independence.

Upon assumption of office, Amupitan pledged to uphold Nigeria’s electoral laws and defend the Constitution, emphasizing that he would run the commission with transparency and accountability.

“I reaffirm that I will defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially as they concern the electoral process,” he told journalists shortly after taking his oath.

Despite his cautionary tone, Odinkalu expressed confidence in Amupitan’s character.

“My hope is that when his tenure ends, he will leave INEC the same Joash I’ve known for nearly 40 years, decent, fair and untainted,” he said.

The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has described his appointment as a divine call to national service, vowing to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process at all costs.

Speaking on Thursday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, shortly after officially taking over from Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who served as Acting Chairman following the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Amupitan pledged to uphold transparency, discipline, and accountability in election administration.

Amupitan, who was sworn in earlier in the day by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, said his mission at INEC was guided by faith and a deep sense of duty to the Nigerian people.

“I am here for a purpose. Perhaps if I had a choice, I might have declined, but it’s clear that God is moving this country in a new direction and my coming here is divine,” he said.

“With God’s mandate, who am I to say no? I believe I have a role to play in ensuring that a new Nigeria is born.”

Accompanied by his family, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, and other dignitaries from the institution where he previously served, Amupitan assured INEC staff that his administration would prioritise staff welfare and professional development.

He emphasised that teamwork, synergy, and institutional cohesion were critical to INEC’s success, stressing that public confidence in elections must be restored through credibility and transparency.

“Our mandate is clear, to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people. The integrity of our elections is not up for negotiation. Every voter must believe that their vote counts,” Amupitan declared.

The new INEC boss also promised improved working conditions and better resourcing for the Commission’s staff, noting that effective performance could only come from a motivated workforce.

“We expect a lot from our staff, and because of that, you deserve to be well equipped and adequately supported to deliver. We will make your welfare a top priority,” he assured.

Looking ahead to the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, Amupitan said the poll would be a critical test of INEC’s commitment to credible elections.

“The task ahead is enormous, but together we can meet it. The eyes of the nation are upon us. We must rise to the occasion and prove that we can deliver elections that meet Nigerians’ expectations,” he said.

Amupitan also commended Agbamuche-Mbu for her leadership during the transition period and lauded INEC staff for their dedication and resilience.

He urged all departments to work collaboratively, break bureaucratic barriers, and stay united in pursuit of democratic excellence.

“Let us uphold the values of democracy and work with one mind to strengthen the credibility of our elections. The journey may be demanding, but if we stand together, there is nothing we cannot achieve,” he concluded.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled its former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, along with several senior officials, over allegations of misconduct, financial impropriety, and abuse of office.

The decision followed the adoption of a White Paper by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on Thursday in Abuja, which reviewed and upheld the findings of an independent Disciplinary Committee set up earlier in the year.

Addressing journalists at the party’s national secretariat, National Publicity Secretary Rufus Aiyenigba said the expulsions were the result of months of investigation and due process aimed at sanitising the party’s leadership structure.

“The NWC considered and adopted the report of the Disciplinary Committee and the accompanying White Paper, which reviewed the findings and recommendations regarding the allegations brought against the affected officers,” Aiyenigba explained.

He recalled that the NWC had earlier suspended Gabam, National Youth Leader Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu, and National Auditor Mr. Clarkson Nnadi on June 24, 2025, after a prima facie case of financial misappropriation and gross misconduct was established.

To ensure transparency, the party set up an independent Disciplinary Committee on July 4, 2025, which conducted a two-week probe before submitting its report on July 18, 2025.

The NWC subsequently reviewed the findings and adopted the White Paper on August 15, 2025, culminating in Thursday’s decision.

Those expelled include: Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, former National Chairman, Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu, former National Youth Leader, Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, Abubakar Dogara, Nuraddeen Bisalla, Solsuema Osaro and Ambo Ekpeyong.

Others are; Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry, Humphrey Unwukaeze and Judith Israel Shuaibu.

The National Auditor, Mr. Clarkson Nnadi, was also removed from office following his voluntary resignation.

According to Aiyenigba, the affected members were accused of disloyalty and unlawful entry into the SDP national secretariat on July 28, 2025, where they allegedly carted away sensitive documents and party property.

He added that the individuals were later apprehended by security operatives and are now facing criminal prosecution.

“These disciplinary measures are necessary to restore integrity, discipline, and internal order within our great party,” Aiyenigba said, stressing that other administrative recommendations from the White Paper would also be implemented to strengthen accountability mechanisms.

He noted that the sanctions took immediate effect from Thursday, October 23, 2025, and were unanimously approved by members of the National Working Committee.

Reaffirming the party’s commitment to transparency and constitutional order, Aiyenigba maintained that the SDP remains resolute in upholding ethical leadership and institutional discipline.

It will be recalled that on June 24, 2025, the SDP leadership suspended Gabam and several others over alleged embezzlement and diversion of party funds, a move that set the stage for the disciplinary process leading to their eventual expulsion.

The House of Representatives has taken a significant step toward reforming Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework with the second reading of a bill seeking to amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

The bill, sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC–Plateau), aims to enhance the institutional independence, operational efficiency, and accountability of the EFCC, ensuring the agency functions free from undue political influence.

Presiding over Thursday’s plenary session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu oversaw the debate on the proposed legislation titled:

“A Bill for an Act to Amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and for Related Matters (HB. 2493).”

Gagdi, while leading debate on the bill, argued that the EFCC Act, crafted over two decades ago, has failed to keep pace with the evolving landscape of financial crimes.

“When the EFCC was established in 2004, it gave Nigeria a pioneering legal framework to tackle corruption and financial malfeasance,” Gagdi noted.

“However, the world has changed dramatically since then, with the rise of cybercrime, cryptocurrency-related fraud, illicit financial flows, terrorism financing, and real estate-based money laundering. The Commission currently operates under outdated provisions that no longer address these modern realities.”

He further pointed out that the current Act grants the President broad powers to remove the EFCC chairman, a provision that, in his view, compromises the Commission’s autonomy.

Under Section 3(2) of the existing EFCC Act, the President may remove any member of the Commission at his discretion, including for “inability to discharge the functions of his office or misconduct.”

However, the new amendment proposes that removal of the EFCC chairman must be subject to the approval of two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly.

According to Gagdi, this reform will help insulate the EFCC from political manipulation and foster transparency, professionalism, and public trust.

“This amendment represents a decisive move toward strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture,” he said.

“By ensuring the EFCC’s operational independence, we promote good governance, economic stability, and greater public confidence in our justice system.”

Supporting the motion, the Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, described the move as “long overdue,” adding that many modern financial crimes were unimaginable when the original law was enacted in 2004.

“Our legal instruments must evolve to meet emerging threats,” Onwusibe said.

“This amendment will give the EFCC the institutional backbone it needs to operate effectively in today’s complex financial environment.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the State House, Abuja.

Amupitan’s inauguration comes one week after the Senate confirmed his appointment following a rigorous screening exercise held on October 16.

During the ceremony, President Tinubu charged the new INEC Chairman to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, safeguard the commission’s independence and strengthen its institutional capacity ahead of future elections.

Professor Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended earlier this year.