The Nigerian Senate, at Thursday’s plenary, screened and approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
With Thursday’s senate approval, Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, relatively unknown to the Nigerian public, has made history by becoming the first person from Kogi State (North-Central) to be nominated and confirmed for the very important position.
During Thursday’s screening, the 58-year-old Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Jos, and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State, showed the stuff he was made as answered diverse questions from senators who sought to know how planned to deliver credible elections to Nigeria.
After Amupitan had dazzled the senators with his erudition and impeccable understanding of the task ahead of him, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called the voice vote and the nominee was unanimously cleared.
The incoming INEC chairman was subsequently asked to take a bow and leave the Chambers with a promise that the decision of the lawmakers would be communicated to him in due course.
After the exit of the INEC Chairman-designate and entourage, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to restore all floor privileges earlier suspended, after which Senate President Akpabio approved Amupitan’s nomination as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, when it was put to voice vote.
“The nomination of Joash Ojo Amupitan for appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is hereby confirmed,” Akpabio said, and landed the gavel.
