The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a key appointment under its new leadership. Prof. Joash Amupitan, the newly sworn-in INEC Chairman, has named Adedayo Oketola, a former editor at The PUNCH, as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).
The announcement, made on Monday, signals a fresh approach to INEC’s communication and public engagement. Oketola succeeds Rotimi Oyekanmi, who served as CPS under the previous chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
A distinguished journalist with nearly two decades of experience, Oketola has an impressive track record spanning news reporting, business journalism, and editorial leadership. During his tenure as Editor of The PUNCH, the newspaper won Newspaper of the Year at the 2023 Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA), while Oketola himself was named Editor of the Year. His accolades also include The Industry Awards’ Editor of the Year (2022) and two Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards (2015 in Johannesburg and 2016 in Nairobi).
Prof. Amupitan, speaking shortly after his swearing-in last week, reaffirmed his commitment to integrity, transparency, and discipline in managing Nigeria’s electoral process. He described his role as a “divine calling” to serve the nation:
“I am here for a purpose. Maybe if I had a choice, I would have said I would not come here. But from all indications, I can see that God is moving this country, and my coming is divine. With God saying go, who am I to say no? I am here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is birthed.”
The INEC Chairman highlighted teamwork, accountability, and credible elections as the pillars of his administration, stressing that the commission’s success depends on effective collaboration among its staff.
“Our mandate is very clear: to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people. The integrity of our elections is not negotiable. Every voter must feel confident that their vote counts,” he stated.
Prof. Amupitan also pledged to prioritize staff welfare, promising a supportive working environment and the necessary resources for excellence:
“For me, staff welfare is going to be a priority. We will expect a lot from you, and because of that, you also deserve to be well-equipped and supported to deliver. We will work assiduously to ensure that your working conditions are conducive and that you have the necessary resources to excel.”
