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.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections.
Earlier on Thursday, Amupitan held strategic partnership meetings with senior officials of Microsoft and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
At the meeting with Microsoft officials, Ethan Chumley, Emerging Tech and Cyber Lead, and Ariana Molina, Programme Manager, discussed areas of mutual interest in emerging technologies, cybersecurity and responsible artificial intelligence, particularly their application to strengthening the resilience and security of electoral processes.
Amupitan also addressed the AI conference, where he shared Nigeria’s experience and lessons in institutionalising responsible AI for electoral administration.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of INEC as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, another senior INEC official, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, described the Obidient Movement’s concern as “a non-issue”, saying the Chairman was not required to be physically present at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja to perform his duties.
“It is a non-issue. Must he be in Abuja to perform his duties? So, if I were to go on leave, can’t I hand over to someone until I return?
“The Chairman is attending a conference and even gave an address at the conference. He had some meetings too. So what is the issue? It’s just noise,” the official said.
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