Professor Joash Amupitan has firmly denied claims linking him to President Bola Tinubu’s legal team after the 2023 presidential election while seeking clearance by the Senate as new Chairman of IN
Amupitan, a professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos made the clarification on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during his screening at the Senate plenary in Abuja.
“I was never part of President Bola Tinubu’s legal team in court,” Amupitan said in response to questions from senators about his political neutrality and professional history.EC.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked the nominee if he had ever worked for either the Peoples Democratic Party or the Labour Party in any legal capacity. Amupitan replied, “I was not a member of any team.”
He emphasized that he had always maintained professional independence throughout his legal career and had never taken sides in political disputes. “My role as a legal scholar is to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law, not to serve partisan interests,” he said.
Political observers have closely watched Amupitan’s nomination, questioning whether his potential appointment as INEC chairman would maintain the commission’s neutrality in future elections.
However, the reports clarified that Professor Taiwo Osipitan not Professor Joash Amupitan served on Tinubu’s legal team that defended his 2023 election victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
READ ALSO:UniJos lauds Tinubu for nominating Amupitan as INEC boss
Amupitan’s academic and professional records show over three decades of experience in constitutional law, legal reforms, and public administration. Colleagues describe him as a firm advocate of electoral transparency and institutional integrity.
During the screening, several senators expressed support for his nomination, commending his academic credentials and leadership record. Others urged him to prioritize impartiality and transparency if confirmed as INEC chairman.
Amupitan assured the lawmakers that he would uphold the commission’s independence and credibility. “INEC must remain a symbol of democracy,” he said. “If confirmed, I will ensure fairness in every electoral process and strengthen the public’s trust in our elections.”
His confirmation process continues as the Senate prepares to vote on his appointment in the coming days.
