The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has appointed Adedayo Oketola, a former Editor of The PUNCH newspaper, as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).
INEC confirmed the appointment in a statement on Monday, noting that Oketola succeeds Rotimi Oyekanmi, who served under the former chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
A veteran journalist with nearly 20 years of newsroom experience, Oketola has earned a reputation for editorial excellence and leadership.
Before his appointment, he held several key roles at The PUNCH, including News Editor, Business Editor, and Assistant Editor for News and Politics.
As Editor of the paper, Oketola led The PUNCH to national acclaim, earning the Editor of the Year award at the 2023 Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) and securing the Newspaper of the Year title for the publication.
He also received the Editor of the Year honour at The Industry Awards in 2022 and twice won the Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards in Johannesburg (2015) and Nairobi (2016).
A New Chapter at INEC
Following his confirmation, Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed his mission to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system through integrity and transparency.
“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,” Amupitan said during his address.
He stressed that teamwork, accountability, and credible elections would define his leadership, adding that the commission’s task is “to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people.”
He also pledged to prioritise staff welfare, describing it as vital to the commission’s success.
“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,” he added.
Oketola’s appointment signals Amupitan’s intent to strengthen INEC’s communication strategy as the commission prepares for upcoming off-cycle and general elections.
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