I was never part of presidential tribunal — Amupitan
Joash Amupitan (SAN), President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has denied ever being part of the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
Amupitan made the clarification on Thursday during his screening before the Senate for confirmation.
Responding to a question from Senator Seriake Dickson, who asked if he had served on Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 presidential election, Amupitan said, “I never and did not appear at any time whatsoever at the Presidential Election Tribunal.”
His response comes amid some media (Not Business Day) claims that he was a lead counsel to President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the tribunal proceedings.
One of the posts, dated October 10, 2025, alleged that, “The newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, previously served as lead counsel to the APC and President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
“It’s evident that Tinubu has appointed a close ally to head the commission, a move that could potentially compromise the neutrality and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process in 2027.”
Tinubu had on Tuesday transmitted Amupitan’s name to the Senate for confirmation, following the completion of the tenure of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served two terms as INEC Chairman.
Last week, the President formally presented Amupitan as his preferred choice to lead the electoral commission.
His nomination was subsequently approved by the Council of State, which unanimously endorsed him as the next INEC Chairman.
During the council meeting, Tinubu noted that Amupitan, a native of Kogi State in the North Central region, is the first person from the state to be nominated for the position.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesman, the President described Amupitan as “apolitical” and a person of integrity. Members of the Council, including former Heads of State, reportedly gave their unanimous backing to his nomination.
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Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State also commended the choice, describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity.”
58-year-old Amupitan, is a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State.
