By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted the name of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to the Senate for confirmation as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The President’s nomination was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, Tinubu explained that the appointment was made in accordance with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates Senate confirmation for appointments into the nation’s electoral body.
“I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the President’s letter stated.
Tinubu also enclosed the nominee’s curriculum vitae for legislative scrutiny and appealed to the Senate to give the request its “usual expeditious consideration.”
After reading the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for screening and further legislative action.
The Senate is expected to announce a date for Professor Amupitan’s screening before taking a final decision on his confirmation.
