ABUJA -- PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, swore in the sixth substantive chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN.

At the ceremony held at the State House Council Chamber, President Tinubu urged the new INEC Chairman to serve with integrity and beyond reproach.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Tinubu as saying: "Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government.

"This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication and patriotism."

President Tinubu noted that the country had been on a path of democratic governance and learning since 1999, with notable achievements in the strengthening of various institutions.

"Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms.

"We have learned a great deal along the way and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society.

"The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach," he added.

President Tinubu stated that the governorship election on November 8, 2025, in Anambra State will serve as a litmus test for the new leadership of the electoral commission.

"It is important that our elections are free, fair and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.

"To maintain public trust in the election, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process - from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting and counting should be transparent, non-violent and credible.

"No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation's future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient and safeguarded against artificial setback.

"I therefore charge you, Prof Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.

The swearing-in ceremony follows the Senate's confirmation of the INEC Chairman's nomination on October 16.

My mandate is to ensure credible, fair, free election -Amupitan

In a short interview with State House correspondents, Prof. Amupitan said he was given a clear mandate to ensure a credible, free and fair election in the country.

His swearing-in took place during the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting, chaired by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima and attended by state governors and key cabinet members in charge of the economy.

He said he would be firm while carrying out his assignment, promised to defend Nigeria's Constitution.

He said: "So I will reaffirm what I have just taken, that I'm going to defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as far as it relates to the electoral system, and like the President said, I was given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair and free election.

"Not just that, I will ensure that that is done. I'm also going to engage all the stakeholders, because no matter how you set the barometer and the level of success, you still need all the stakeholders to be able to succeed."

Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ran from 2015 to 2025.

The 58-year-old academic outlined his plans to reform Nigeria's electoral system, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public trust in the commission at the screening.