Sends 28 others for confirmation as federal commissioners
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a fresh list of high-profile nominations to the Senate for confirmation, including Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The request, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the resumption of plenary yesterday, urged the red chamber to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations in line with constitutional provisions.
“In accordance with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Prof Joash Amupitan as Chairman of INEC,” the President’s letter reads.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the nominee’s wealth of experience as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and constitutional law expert would strengthen the credibility and independence of the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akpabio, thereafter, referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for legislative consideration “as soon as practicable.” In a separate communication, Tinubu also sought the Senate’s confirmation of Mrs Ayo Omidiran, a former lawmaker from Osun State, as the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
The letter also contained the names of 28 nominees for appointment as federal commissioners in the FCC, including Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara), Babangida Bwala (Bauchi), Mrs Eunice Thomas (Akwa Ibom) and Obinna Oriakwu (Abia).
The nominations have been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Inter-Governmental Affairs, which has two weeks to report back to the chamber.
With these nominations, President Tinubu continues his ongoing efforts to fill key federal leadership positions across major institutions of governance.
