The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, is set to officially take over office next week in preparation for the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.
According to multiple sources within INEC, Amupitan will formally assume duties after being sworn in by President Bola Tinubu. The inauguration is traditionally conducted at a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which is expected to hold next week.
“Prof. Amupitan will assume office on the day he is sworn in by the President. The tradition is that he gets sworn in before an FEC meeting and will be escorted by INEC National Commissioners to resume office immediately,” a senior official involved in the transition process explained.
Although the exact date remains uncertain, an INEC Director confirmed that preparations are ongoing and the swearing-in is imminent. “He will assume his position after his inauguration,” the official added.
There are also visible signs within the commission indicating readiness for Amupitan’s arrival, as some of his personal aides have reportedly been sighted at the commission’s headquarters ahead of the ceremony.
When contacted, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said, “We are expecting him, but there is no information yet on when he will officially assume office.”
Amupitan, 58, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was confirmed as INEC Chairman by the Senate after a voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. His confirmation followed a thorough screening session where he answered a series of questions from lawmakers.
President Tinubu had earlier nominated Amupitan to replace Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman recently ended.
Meanwhile, Okay News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission has reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a transparent, free, and credible election in Anambra State.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, gave the assurance in Awka on Tuesday during a forum with journalists and on-air personalities.
“INEC is fully prepared for the upcoming Anambra governorship election. The level of readiness is both practical and measurable. All non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the state, while sensitive materials will arrive soon under strict security arrangements,” Olumekun said.
He disclosed that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Anambra would be available for collection from Wednesday, October 22, to Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Olumekun also urged registered voters to collect their PVCs before the poll and warned against fake news, describing misinformation as one of the major threats to electoral integrity.
In her remarks, the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Elizabeth Awgu, confirmed that all logistics had been completed to ensure timely distribution of materials across the state, including riverine areas.
“Materials will leave the CBN state headquarters on Thursday afternoon. There will be no late arrival of materials. We are fully prepared for this election,” she stated, adding that polling would commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.
Olumekun concluded, “Together with the media, we are determined to make the 2025 Anambra governorship election a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey — peaceful, transparent, and credible.”
