Itodo: New INEC Chair Amupitan Faces First Major Test in Anambra Election

Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, has said that while newly confirmed INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, possesses the credentials, capacity, and integrity to lead the electoral body, his real test will begin when he assumes office — starting with the upcoming Anambra Governorship Election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Itodo said the screening of the law professor by the Senate revealed intellect and competence, but the true measure of his leadership would be tested in action.

“Based on his credentials, he has the capacity. Does he have the mental stamina and ability? It is clear from today that he does.
But this is a screening; when he gets into office, he is going to face a major test. The first major test is the Anambra election, which is only a few weeks away,” Itodo stated.

The Anambra Governorship Election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, will feature about 2.8 million registered voters and 16 political parties, with incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo (APGA) seeking re-election against Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), George Moghalu (Labour Party), and others.

Itodo said that while there had been no petitions questioning Amupitan’s integrity, his leadership would be defined by his courage to uphold independence and enforce discipline within INEC.

“He must assert independence and make bad eggs face the full wrath of the law. INEC is not about Prof. Amupitan alone.
There are 12 national commissioners, 37 resident electoral commissioners, and 774 electoral officers.
If they do not cooperate with his vision, and politicians compromise them, we will be back to ground zero,” he warned.

The YIAGA Africa director added that Amupitan would need more than personal integrity to navigate entrenched challenges within the commission, stressing that accountability must be enforced across all levels.

He also lamented that Nigerians missed the opportunity to hear the new chairman’s detailed vision for electoral reforms during his Senate screening.

“What the Senate and Nigeria actually lost was the opportunity to hear him speak to the nation about questions related to electoral justice,” Itodo said.

Earlier on Thursday, the Senate confirmed Professor Amupitan as INEC Chairman after a two-hour screening. During the session, the 58-year-old law professor pledged to “reform Nigeria’s electoral process” and ensure elections where losers accept results as fair.

Amupitan also vowed to review the Electoral Act to address timeline inconsistencies and denied any ties to the 2023 election legal teams.

Appointed by President Bola Tinubu and endorsed by the National Council of State, Amupitan succeeds Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive INEC chairman.

Beyond the Anambra election, Amupitan’s tenure will oversee key polls including the FCT Area Council Election (February 2026), Ekiti Governorship Election (June 2026), Osun Governorship Election (August 2026), and the 2027 General Elections.