President Bola Tinubu has charged the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair, and devoid of violence, stressing that credible polls are the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy and public trust.

The President gave the charge on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, shortly after administering the oath of office on the new electoral chief, whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate a week ago.

Tinubu described Amupitan’s elevation as a vote of confidence from both the executive and legislative arms, urging him to guard the integrity of the electoral process with “the highest level of patriotism and discipline.”

“I, therefore, urge you, Professor Amupitan, as you take on this assignment, to protect the integrity of our elections and the institutional capacity of INEC,” Tinubu said.
“Your first test will be the November 2025 Anambra governorship election. I wish you success on that assignment.”

He noted that since 1999, Nigeria’s democracy had matured through reforms and lessons learned from previous challenges, but added that the electoral system must now go beyond rhetoric and stand as a model of credibility.

“Our democracy has come a long way,” Tinubu remarked. “To ensure that it continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach.”

He emphasized that every stage of the process — from voter registration to campaigns, media access, voting, counting, and collation — must reflect transparency, inclusivity, and peace, noting that the strength of democracy lies in the people’s ability to trust the process.

“Elections safeguard the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders,” Tinubu said. “We must continue to improve the system, learn from yesterday, and innovate for tomorrow.”

Amupitan Promises Credible Polls, Calls His Appointment ‘Divine’

In his response, Professor Amupitan pledged to uphold the Constitution and pursue credible, free, and fair elections.

Speaking to State House correspondents after taking his oath, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Law Professor from the University of Jos said his leadership would be anchored on collaboration, transparency, and accountability.

“I reaffirm my commitment to defend the Constitution,” Amupitan declared. “Like the President said, I have been given a clear charge — to ensure credible, fair, and free elections. And that, I will ensure.”

He said the success of INEC’s work would depend on the cooperation of political parties, civil society, and security agencies, stressing that “no matter how well the system is designed, it needs stakeholders’ support to function.”

Amupitan took over from Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served two consecutive terms — the longest in INEC’s history — and introduced key innovations such as BVAS and IReV to strengthen transparency.

‘We Must Restore Voter Confidence’

Upon assuming office at the commission’s headquarters, the new INEC boss vowed to restore public confidence, describing his appointment as “divine and purposeful.”

“The upcoming Anambra election is not just another poll,” Amupitan told INEC directors. “It’s a defining moment to prove our commitment to credible elections. Every voter must feel that their vote will count.”

He pledged to make staff welfare a priority, noting that the commission’s workforce plays a critical role in ensuring integrity in the electoral process.

“We expect so much from our staff, and that’s why their welfare will be central,” he said. “We’ll work tirelessly to ensure conducive conditions and adequate resources to deliver on our mandate.”

Amupitan, who hails from Kogi State — the first INEC chair from the North-Central — said his appointment came through divine orchestration.

“Maybe if I had a choice, I’d say I wouldn’t come here,” he admitted. “But from all indications, I see God moving in this country. My coming is divine. God is using this opportunity to birth a new Nigeria.”

Agbamuche-Mbu Hands Over, Praises Yakubu’s Legacy

Earlier, May Agbamuche-Mbu, the acting INEC chair, officially handed over to Amupitan. She hailed his appointment as “a call to national service of the highest order,” while reminding him that he was taking over at a crucial time with the Anambra poll approaching.

“You are stepping onto a firm and fertile ground laid by your predecessor,” she said. “Professor Yakubu’s tenure was marked by innovations that deepened transparency and voter confidence.”

She expressed confidence in Amupitan’s ability to lead, describing his appointment as “a herculean national service demanding sacrifice, patience, and wisdom.”

Amupitan’s inauguration drew attendance from his family, colleagues, and top government officials. His colleagues from the University of Jos were said to have temporarily shut down the campus in celebration of his appointment.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, all eyes will now be on Amupitan and his team — to prove that the era of credible, peaceful elections in Nigeria has truly begun.

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed allegations of forgery and signature cloning made by Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s National Secretary.

In three separate letters dated October 15, 2025, Anyanwu had raised the alarm over a letter purportedly addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the party’s planned national convention.

The PDP National Secretary claimed that the letters, which contained details of the forthcoming convention scheduled for November 15, bore his forged signature and were transmitted to INEC without his authorisation or knowledge.

“Regrettably, the quoted letter was never signed, authorised or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged or cloned version of my signature on the letter,” Anyanwu wrote in one of his correspondences.

He called on the INEC Chairman, as well as the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to launch a thorough investigation into the incident and prosecute those responsible for the alleged forgery.

However, the PDP Board of Trustees, in a statement released on Thursday by its Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, described the allegations as “baseless, misleading, and reprehensible.”

“While the BoT would have preferred to refrain from engaging in matters of internal administrative procedure in the public domain, the gravity of this allegation and its capacity to mislead party members and the general public necessitate a clear and factual clarification,” Wabara said.

According to him, the INEC notification letter in question was jointly signed by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and Anyanwu himself during the 102nd meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on August 25, 2025.

Wabara explained that the signing was witnessed by organs and stakeholders of the party, including members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the BoT, and other NEC members.

He further noted that Anyanwu co-signed official communications of the sub-committee on contact and mobilisation for the national convention, including letters of appointment issued to its members.

“Furthermore, Senator Anyanwu, in his capacity as sub-committee secretary, personally signed and transmitted a letter seeking financial approval for the inaugural meeting of the sub-committee,” Wabara added.

He said these verifiable correspondences, bearing Anyanwu’s authentic signature, are available in the custody of the party and the relevant convention committees.

“In view of these incontrovertible facts, the BoT finds Senator Anyanwu’s claim of forgery to be baseless, misleading, and, to say the least, reprehensible, being inconsistent with the documented record of events,” Wabara stated.

He described the forgery allegation as a “deliberate attempt to cast aspersions on the integrity of the Party’s leadership and processes and to misinform security agencies and the general public.”

The BoT chairman reaffirmed that the PDP remains “cohesive, resolute, and unwavering” in its commitment to democratic values, transparency, and internal harmony.

He assured members that the party’s forthcoming elective national convention, scheduled to hold on November 15 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, would be “credible, unifying, and transparent.”

Wabara urged party members and supporters across the country to disregard Anyanwu’s claims, which he described as “unfounded,” and remain steadfast in their loyalty to the party.

The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, will formally assume office today, Wednesday, October 23, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

An internal memo signed by Wilfred Ifogah, Deputy Director of Publicity, for the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, announced that Amupitan will hold his first official meeting with INEC directors at 1:30 p.m. in the Commission’s conference hall.

Amupitan’s resumption follows his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu, coming after the completion of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s two-term tenure (2015–2025). Yakubu oversaw two general elections and several off-cycle polls that shaped Nigeria’s democratic landscape.

Ahead of his assumption, key members of civil society have urged the new INEC boss to build on the reforms and gains achieved under his predecessor.

At a colloquium organised by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in Abuja, stakeholders described sustaining the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system as a shared responsibility among political parties, the judiciary, security agencies, and citizens.

The event, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Reflections on a Decade of INEC Leadership,” brought together political actors, academics, and civil society leaders who lauded Yakubu’s legacy of institutional and technological reform.

Deputy National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Hon. Dipo Olayoku, commended Yakubu’s introduction of technology-driven innovations, which he said enhanced transparency and credibility in election management.

“Conducting elections in Nigeria remains one of the most complex national tasks,” Olayoku noted. “Through the use of technology, Professor Yakubu made our elections more credible and acceptable. His innovations have brought a new level of transparency to the process.”

He, however, lamented that the lack of accountability for electoral offences continues to undermine progress, stressing that unpunished wrongdoing limits reform impact.

Similarly, the Executive Director of the Pioneering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Nigeria (PAACA), Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, hailed Yakubu’s tenure as a period of “remarkable innovation,” citing the electronic transmission of results via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as a milestone in electoral transparency.

As Amupitan takes over the reins, expectations remain high for him to consolidate these reforms, deepen transparency, and steer the Commission toward a more credible and resilient electoral system ahead of future polls.