2027: Obidient Movement demands INEC Chairman Amupitan’s whereabouts

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, is currently away from Abuja on an official assignment, stressing that he has the authority to delegate his responsibilities to any National Commissioner. INEC Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, gave the clarification in response to questions raised by the Obidient Movement over the whereabouts of the Chairman.

“The Chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi said in a brief message to our correspondent via WhatsApp. The clarification followed a statement by the Obidient Movement on Wednesday, in which it demanded an explanation from INEC over Amupitan’s whereabouts after National Commissioner, Prof.

Rhoda Gumus, appeared as Acting Chairman during an engagement with an African Union delegation at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The movement, through its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, questioned why there had been no public announcement explaining when or why Amupitan handed over his duties to Gumus. It also asked the commission to disclose whether the Chairman had travelled outside Nigeria and, if so, provide details of his official engagements.

“As far as the Obidient Movement and Nigerians are concerned, there was no official communication of Professor Amupitan’s handover to anyone, either in acting or substantive capacity. “This raises legitimate questions about the Chairman’s current location, official schedule and the circumstances surrounding his absence,” the statement partly read. Tanko said the questions were necessary because of INEC’s constitutional responsibility for conducting elections and the importance of public confidence in the commission’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy,” he said. However, checks by our correspondent on INEC’s official X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook accounts showed that Amupitan had been engaged in official activities outside the country. A post on Friday showed the Chairman in Ottawa, Canada, where he met with Google Global Lead, Civic Responsibility, David J.

Lopez, accompanied by INEC Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode. By Adegboyega Adeleye The Obidient Movement has demanded clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the whereabouts and official engagements of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, following his absence from an engagement with an African Union (AU) electoral delegation in Abuja.