WorldStage– The new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan has called for the establishment of Independent Electoral Offences Commission to tackle and quickly dispose of election offences and other electoral related matters.
He made the the call when he appeared for screening before the Senate in Abuja on Thursday following his nomination by President Bola Tinubu.
During his screening, Amupitan advocated for the creation of an independent Electoral Offences Commission, citing that INEC currently lacks the power to effectively prosecute electoral offenders.
The new INEC helmsman argued that INEC’s limited powers to prosecute electoral offenders outside its own staff make an independent body necessary.
He pledged to conduct a comprehensive audit of the 2023 general elections, focusing on logistics and addressing the issues with the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
Amupitan also promised aggressive civic education and capacity building, as well as an increased investment in technology, including the use of drones, to ensure security and reach all parts of the country.
He equally advocated for a whistleblower policy to encourage Nigerians to provide information on electoral fraud.
He expressed a desire to make elections so credible that “the loser will congratulate the winner” henceforth as an electoral norm.
Joash Ojo Amupitan is a Professor of Law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Prior to his appointment, he served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and as the Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University.
He succeeds Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure concluded in October 2025.
