Nigeria’s newly appointed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, has pledged to uphold the integrity of the country’s electoral process, describing it as a “non-negotiable” priority as he assumed office ahead of the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.

Amupitan, 58, a constitutional law professor from the University of Jos, was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House before heading to INEC headquarters for his first official briefing with directors. “The integrity of our elections is not even something we should negotiate,” he told staff, emphasizing unity, staff welfare, and the need to rebuild public trust to combat voter apathy.

He described his appointment as a “divine calling” and vowed to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of Nigerians. The upcoming Anambra poll will serve as his first major test, with four national commissioners already deployed for logistics assessments.

Amupitan urged interdepartmental collaboration and warned against operational silos that could undermine confidence in the commission’s work. “Our preparation... is only as good as the cooperation we receive from stakeholders,” he said, calling for support from political actors and the public alike.

During the handover ceremony, acting chairperson Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu commended Amupitan’s academic credentials and praised the foundation laid by his predecessor, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. She highlighted the commission’s adoption of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which were introduced to enhance transparency. “You are stepping onto firm ground... What lies ahead is the building,” she said.

Amupitan’s nomination by President Tinubu was confirmed by the Senate last week following endorsement by the National Council of State. His tenure begins amid heightened scrutiny over past electoral glitches and growing calls for reform, including a recent Senate bill proposing to shift the burden of proof in election petitions to INEC.

As Nigeria prepares for the Anambra vote and future elections, Amupitan’s leadership will be closely watched for signs of progress—or setbacks—in the country’s democratic journey.