2027: Obidients demand explanation over INEC chairman’s absence

The Obidient Movement has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to clarify the absence and official engagements of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN.

The call followed National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus’s appearance as Acting Chairman during a meeting with an African Union AU pre-election delegation in Abuja.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the group said INEC had not publicly explained why Amupitan was absent or when he handed over his duties to Gumus.

The AU delegation, led by former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, visited INEC headquarters to assess Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Gumus serves as a National Commissioner and appears on INEC’s official website.

Tanko said the development raised questions about Amupitan’s whereabouts, schedule and the circumstances surrounding his absence.“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,” he said.

The group asked INEC to state where Amupitan was, when he left Abuja and why he was absent.

It also asked whether he had travelled outside the country and, if so, the official engagements he attended.

The movement further asked whether Amupitan had met or planned to meet President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Chairman or any representative of the ruling party.

Tanko said the questions stemmed from INEC’s constitutional role in conducting elections and the need to maintain public confidence in the commission ahead of the 2027 polls.

He also called on INEC to demonstrate transparency and political neutrality in its operations.

“As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy,” Tanko said.

The movement urged INEC to publicly disclose Amupitan’s whereabouts and explain his official engagements.

Efforts to obtain INEC’s response proved unsuccessful.

INEC Chief Press Secretary, Dayo Oketola, could not be reached by phone for comment at the time of filing the report.