New INEC Chairman: Tinubu Considers Kogi Born Law Professor to Succeed Mahmood Yakubu
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is considering appointing a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- The new chairman is to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who had almost served out his two terms of 10 years
- A highly placed presidency source has mentioned and confirmed the name of a law professor as the likely replacement for Yakubu
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly considering Kogi State-born Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the new Chairman of the the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Legit.ng reports that Yakubu’s tenure is winding down almost 10 years after he was appointed in 2015 by late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Source: Facebook
As reported by ThisDay, a highly placed presidency source, last night, said it is true that Tinubu is considering nominating Amupitan as replacement for the outgoing INEC chairman, Professor Yakubu.
Amupitan’s close friend said he could confirm the presidency is strongly considering the law professor as the new INEC boss.
Yakubu had allegedly planned to leave the office in June, but was persuaded by the presidency to stay.
This is due to the continued search for a suitable replacement.
Should Amupitan be appointed as Yakubu’s replacement, he would be in charge of the following elections:
- Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 6, 2025.
- Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled to hold on February 21, 2026.
- Ekiti state governorship election in 2026
- Osun governorship election holding in 2026
- The 2027 general election.
Source: Twitter
New INEC Chairman: Who is Amupitan?
Amupitan is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau state.
He is a Professor of Law with specialisation and experience in Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law and Privatisation Law.
The law professor was born on April 25, 1967 in Aiyetoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Kogi state-born obtained his LL.B. Hons Degree in 1987 at the University of Jos.
He emerged as the best graduating student and won all the academic awards in the Faculty of Law, including UNIJOS Prize for the best Graduating Law Student, 1987.
Read more stories on INEC:
- New INEC Chairman: Should it Be About Zoning or Merit?
- INEC Chairman Reacts to Reports Tinubu Allegedly Directed Him to Immediately Proceed on Leave
- INEC Chairman Speaks as He Finishes Up His Term in Office, Calls for Constitutional Amendment
- 2027 Elections: Report lists 5 Nigerians Tinubu allegedly considering as next INEC chairman
- Should Next INEC Chairman Come From North or South? Nigerians React
2027 elections: Who will succeed INEC chairman?
As Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as INEC chairman nears its end, Nigerians are voicing strong expectations for his successor.
Citizens across civil society, academia, and advocacy groups are calling for a leader defined by integrity, competence, and independence, not regional or political affiliations.
Many insist that the appointment process must be transparent and inclusive to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system
Source: Legit.ng
