President Bola Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Similarly, the President sought approval of the Senate for appointments of Mrs Ayo Omidiran as new Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, and 28 others as Federal Commissioners, one of whom is Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara State.
Tinubu, in separate letters read on the floor of the Senate by its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio at the beginning of plenary on Tuesday, sought for expeditious consideration and approvals by the Red Chamber.
According to the letter, the nomination is in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, which mandates Senate confirmation for such appointments.
Akpabio, accordingly referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for legislative action as soon as practicable.
Last Thursday, the President presented Amupitan’s name as his preferred nominee to fill the leadership vacancy at the INEC to the Council of State, which unanimously approved the nomination following the exit of the erstwhile chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Tinubu told the council that Amupitan, an indigene Ayetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State in the North Central geopolitical zone, is the first person from the state to be nominated to head the electoral commission.
According to a statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the nominee as an "apolitical" figure.
Amupitan, 58, is a Professor of Law, until his appointment serves as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, DVC (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State.
