INEC boss Amupitan picks former PUNCH Editor Dayo Oketola as chief press secretary

INEC boss Amupitan picks former PUNCH Editor Dayo Oketola as chief press secretary

 

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has appointed former PUNCH Editor, Adedayo Oketola, as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

INEC announced the appointment in a statement issued on Monday, marking Oketola’s assumption of the role previously held by Rotimi Oyekanmi, who served under the immediate past Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

A seasoned journalist and newsroom leader, Oketola brings to the electoral body nearly two decades of editorial experience and a reputation for excellence within Nigeria’s media industry.

Before his appointment, Oketola served as The PUNCH’s Editor, during which he led the newspaper to win Newspaper of the Year at the 2023 Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA), where he also clinched the Editor of the Year award. He had earlier worked as the paper’s News Editor, Business Editor, and Assistant Editor for News and Politics at Saturday PUNCH.

His professional accolades include being named Editor of the Year at The Industry Awards (2022) and winning the Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards in Johannesburg (2015) and Nairobi (2016), among several other honours.

Meanwhile, Prof. Amupitan, who was recently sworn in as INEC Chairman, reaffirmed his commitment to integrity, transparency, and discipline in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Speaking shortly after taking office, he described his appointment as divine and pledged to restore public confidence in the commission’s work.

“Our mandate is clear—to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people. The integrity of our elections is not negotiable,” he said.

He also emphasized staff welfare and teamwork, promising to create an enabling environment for INEC personnel to perform effectively.

“We will expect a lot from our staff, and because of that, they deserve to be well-equipped and supported. We will ensure conducive working conditions and adequate resources for everyone to excel,” Amupitan added.