President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system, describing free and fair elections as the foundation of democracy.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja shortly after Amupitan’s swearing-in, Tinubu emphasised that electoral credibility is non-negotiable and remains essential to sustaining public trust in governance.
“Credible elections are the bedrock of democracy,” the President said. “INEC must not only be impartial but must also be seen to be impartial. Our citizens deserve elections that truly reflect their will.”
The President noted that Nigeria’s democratic progress depends on institutions that function transparently and independently, urging the new INEC leadership to prioritise professionalism, innovation, and voter confidence.
He added that the commission must work tirelessly to restore public trust following recent criticisms of election management and logistical lapses in some states.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting INEC with the resources and autonomy needed to deliver credible polls, warning that electoral malpractice “undermines both democracy and national stability.”
Prof. Amupitan, a constitutional law expert and former Dean at the University of Jos, succeeds Mahmood Yakubu, who completed his tenure earlier this month.
He pledged to strengthen institutional reforms within INEC and ensure elections at all levels meet international democratic standards.
