Fresh questions have emerged over the whereabouts of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, after he was absent from a meeting with an African Union (AU) pre-election delegation in Abuja.
National Commissioner Professor Rhoda Gumus represented him as Acting Chairman during the September 15 engagement with the AU delegation, which was assessing Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The development prompted the Obidient Movement to demand clarification on Amupitan’s whereabouts, his official engagements and the circumstances surrounding the delegation of his duties.
The group also raised questions about whether the INEC chairman had travelled outside Nigeria and whether he had any planned or recent meetings with President Bola Tinubu or officials of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
However, INEC has explained that Amupitan is away from Abuja on an official assignment and is authorised to delegate his responsibilities to another National Commissioner.
INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the chairman was “on an official assignment outside Abuja” and could delegate his powers to any National Commissioner.
Reports from INEC’s official social media platforms also indicate that Amupitan has been undertaking engagements in Canada.
He was reported to have attended the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections in Ottawa, where he held discussions involving emerging technology, cybersecurity and responsible artificial intelligence.
He also held meetings with representatives of Microsoft, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and Google on issues related to electoral technology and the security of electoral processes.
The controversy comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections, with the AU mission also examining areas including voter registration, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency and results management.
While some Nigerians have linked Amupitan’s absence to speculation about possible political engagements, there is no evidence presented in the reports confirming that he travelled to meet President Tinubu or that any plan to rig the 2027 election was discussed.
The controversy has nevertheless renewed calls for greater transparency from INEC as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.
INEC has continued to maintain that its preparations are aimed at delivering a transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful election.
The commission’s leadership and its handling of the electoral process are therefore likely to remain under close public scrutiny as preparations for the 2027 polls continue.
