Olushola Omogbehin
The Senate has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Amupitan who arrived at the National Assembly complex accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo and other dignitaries, was confirmed after a voice vote by the lawmakers after undergoing screening and answering questions posed by members of the Senate.
Arriving at the chamber at about 12:52 p.m., he was led into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Abubakar Lado, where he positioned himself well ahead of the exercise.
After welcoming Amupitan and his family to the Red Chamber, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio told his colleagues that the nominee had been cleared by the office of the National Security Adviser after vetting.
He also told them that the Office of the Department of State Services had also cleared him and Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search on him, cleared him and said that he had no criminal records with the police.
The screening which started at about 12:55 p.m was based on his vision for credible elections as well as his programme for institutional reforms within the commission but he responded to all their questions.
Thereafter Senator Akpabio approved the nomination of Amupitan for appointment as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when it was put to voice vote.
“The nomination of Joash Ojo Amupitan for appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is hereby confirmed,” Akpabio said.
