The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), is expected to officially assume duties next week, just in time to oversee the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Multiple top officials at the electoral body confirmed that Prof. Amupitan will formally take charge immediately after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a ceremony traditionally conducted before the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“Prof. Amupitan will assume office on the day he is sworn in by the President. The tradition is that he gets sworn in before the FEC meeting and then proceeds to INEC headquarters to resume duties,” a senior source involved in the transition process told The PUNCH.
Although the exact date for the swearing-in has not been fixed, officials said preparations are already underway for the transition. “His personal staff have started showing up at the commission, and indications are strong that the ceremony will take place next week,” another insider revealed.
When contacted, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, confirmed that the commission is expecting the new chairman but has not received official communication on the date of his assumption.
Prof. Amupitan, a 58-year-old law professor at the University of Jos and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was confirmed by the Senate last Thursday following his nomination by President Tinubu to replace Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended. His confirmation followed an intense screening during which lawmakers quizzed him on constitutional law, electoral reforms, and institutional transparency.
In the interim, National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu has been steering the commission’s activities as Acting Chairman, presiding over meetings and coordinating pre-election preparations.
Meanwhile, INEC has restated its readiness to conduct a free, fair, and credible election in Anambra State. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, assured that all logistics and security arrangements are in place.
“INEC is fully prepared for the upcoming Anambra governorship election. Non-sensitive materials have already been delivered to the state, and sensitive materials will arrive shortly under tight security,” Olumekun said.
He disclosed that distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise would take place from October 22 to 26, urging eligible voters to collect their cards ahead of the polls.
Olumekun cautioned against the spread of fake news, warning journalists and social media users to verify information before dissemination. “False stories and manipulated videos can erode public trust. Let truth remain your only compass,” he advised.
Also speaking, Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Elizabeth Awgu, confirmed that all logistics had been finalized to ensure timely distribution of election materials, including to riverine communities.
“Materials will leave the CBN office on Thursday afternoon to guarantee early arrival at polling units. We are fully prepared for this election,” Awgu assured.
She reiterated that polling would commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m., adding that voters already on the queue before closing time would still be allowed to cast their ballots.
INEC officials, including the Heads of ICT, Legal, and Electoral Operations, reaffirmed the commission’s determination to deliver a transparent process. “Together with the media, we are committed to making the 2025 Anambra governorship election a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey — peaceful, transparent, and credible,” Olumekun concluded.
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