New INEC Chairman: Tinubu Considers Kogi Born Law Professor to Succeed Mahmood Yakubu
According to a report from ThisDay, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly considering Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), a seasoned law scholar from Kogi State, as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The possible appointment comes as the tenure of the current chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, nears completion. Yakubu, who was first appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, has almost completed two five-year terms at the commission.
According to a source within the presidency quoted by ThisDay, Amupitan has emerged as the preferred candidate to succeed Yakubu.
A close associate of the law professor also confirmed that the presidency has shown strong interest in his nomination. Yakubu, who had initially planned to step down in June, reportedly agreed to stay on temporarily until a replacement was identified.
If appointed, Amupitan would oversee several key elections, including the Anambra State governorship poll in November 2025, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections in February 2026, the Ekiti and Osun governorship contests in 2026, and the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State.
Born on April 25, 1967, in Aiyetoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, he is a Professor of Law with expertise in Evidence Law, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, and Privatisation Law.
A distinguished academic, Amupitan graduated with an LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Jos in 1987, emerging as the best graduating student in the Faculty of Law. He swept all faculty awards, including the UNIJOS Prize for Best Graduating Law Student that year.
