Tinubu is expected to appoint Prof. Amupitan, Dino Melaye’s lawyer, as INEC Chairman pending Council of State approval.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), replacing Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose 10-year tenure has ended. SaharaReporters gathered that a Council of State meeting has been scheduled for Thursday to formalize the appointment.
Prof. Amupitan, a legal scholar and longtime counsel to Senator Dino Melaye, hails from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University.
Sources said Tinubu’s decision followed allegations that Yakubu attempted to register new political parties and supported a governorship candidate in Imo State, which reportedly displeased the President. “Tinubu is shopping for Prof. Yakubu’s replacement, and Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan is likely to be the next INEC Chairman,” a top government source told SaharaReporters.