…Says ‘Eyes of the nation are upon us’ as he assumes office as INEC Chairman
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, who formally assumed office at the Commission’s headquarters, Thursday, in Abuja has described his appointment as a divine call to service.
Consequently, he pledged to uphold integrity and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Amupitan, who has been sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over from May Agbamuche-Mbu, who had been serving as Acting Chairman of the Commission following the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Speaking during an interactive meeting with INEC directors shortly after taking over, the new chairman expressed gratitude to God for what he described as a “divine assignment,” vowing that election integrity would not be compromised under his watch.
“I am here for a purpose. Maybe if I had a choice, I would have said I would not come here. But from all indications, I can see that God is moving this country, and my coming is divine. With God saying go, who am I to say no? I am here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is birthed,” Amupitan said.
He stressed that the integrity of elections is not negotiable, adding that every Nigerian voter must trust that their vote will count.
“Our mandate is very clear, to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people. Every voter must feel confident that their vote counts,” he said.
Amupitan, who was accompanied by his wife, children, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, along with other officials from the institution where he previously served, assured INEC staff that his administration would prioritize their welfare and professional development.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork, accountability, and synergy among departments, noting that the success of the Commission depends on collective effort.
“For me, staff welfare is going to be a priority. We will expect a lot from you, and because of that, you also deserve to be well equipped and supported to deliver. We will work assiduously to ensure that your working conditions are conducive and that you have the necessary resources to excel,” he said.
The new INEC boss acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, which he said would serve as a litmus test for the Commission’s commitment to credible polls.
“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections. The task may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve. The eyes of the nation are upon us. We must rise to the occasion and demonstrate that we are capable of conducting elections that meet the expectations of Nigerians,” he declared.
Amupitan also commended Agbamuche-Mbu for her leadership during the transition period and thanked INEC staff for their continued dedication to duty.
He urged them to work in unity, break silos, and commit to strengthening democratic values through credible elections.
