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Tag: PROF JOASH AMUPITAN

  • Anambra Guber: INEC Boss Warns Against Vote-Buying, Extends PVC Collection

    Anambra Guber: INEC Boss Warns Against Vote-Buying, Extends PVC Collection

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning against vote-buying ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the warning on Tuesday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held to review preparedness for the upcoming polls.

    Amupitan reaffirmed his commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people, noting that the Commission had completed a week-long readiness assessment across Anambra State.

    “Our mandate is to conduct credible elections, and we are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised,” he stated.

    He, however, disclosed that INEC encountered network issues during a recent Mock Accreditation Exercise conducted in 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).


    He assured that necessary steps are being taken to ensure a seamless voting process on election day.

    Providing further updates, the INEC Chairman said results of the election would be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.

    Following a report that only 63.9 percent of registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Amupitan announced an extension of PVC collection in Anambra State.


    The exercise, he said, will continue from Wednesday, October 29, to Sunday, November 2, 2025, to allow more voters to obtain their cards.

    “Our mission remains ensuring that every logistical, security, and operational element required for the Anambra election is perfectly in place,” Amupitan added.

    He also emphasized the importance of synergy among security agencies, describing it as “non-negotiable” in the effort to safeguard the integrity of the polls.


    The Commission, according to him, has concluded arrangements with transport unions, including the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN), hiring 200 buses and 83 boats for the smooth movement of electoral materials and personnel.

    The INEC boss warned political actors and stakeholders against any form of inducement or vote trading, stressing that security agencies must ensure a zero-tolerance environment for vote buyers.

    “We must join hands to combat the menace of vote buying.


    Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate during the Anambra election.


    Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections,” Amupitan said.

  • I Won’t Negotiate Election Integrity, My Coming to INEC is Divine – Amupitan

    I Won’t Negotiate Election Integrity, My Coming to INEC is Divine – Amupitan

    …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.

  • Curtain falls on Prof Yakubu’s controversial reign at INEC

    Curtain falls on Prof Yakubu’s controversial reign at INEC

    • Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially stepped aside as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    • Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC National Commissioner, has taken over the reins as Acting Chairman of the electoral body.

    The formal handover ceremony took place on Tuesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

    The transition follows Professor Yakubu’s decision to proceed on terminal leave after completing his two-term tenure as head of the Commission.

    Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, one of INEC’s longest-serving National Commissioners, currently chairs the Legal Services, Clearance, and Complaints Committee (LSCCC).

    A lawyer with over three decades of experience, she holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.

    In a brief ceremony, Professor Yakubu formally handed over documents to Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, signifying the official transfer of leadership.

    INEC, in a statement, said the handover was part of its tradition of ensuring administrative continuity and institutional stability.

    Professor Yakubu, who was first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015 and reappointed for a second term in 2020, is the longest-serving INEC Chairman since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

    His tenure witnessed landmark electoral innovations, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal — two reforms widely credited with improving transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral process.

    Critics observe however, that while the huge investment in technology aided the voting process, the outcome of elections remained quite controversial due to the failure of the electoral body to deploy for the outcome.

    The smooth transition comes as the Commission continues with ongoing voter registration exercises in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and prepares for off-cycle governorship elections in key states.

    Meanwhile, credible reports suggest that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to nominate Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the substantive INEC Chairman.

    The nomination, according to sources, may be ratified at a scheduled Council of State meeting on Thursday.

    Until then, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu will oversee the affairs of the Commission in an acting capacity, ensuring that ongoing electoral operations remain uninterrupted.

    Her appointment is seen as a continuation of INEC’s commitment to professionalism, gender inclusion, and effective succession planning.

    Further details about the handover and the anticipated presidential nomination are expected in the coming days.