The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is currently away from Abuja on official duties.
The clarification came after questions were raised about the chairman’s whereabouts when National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus appeared in his place as Acting Chairman during an engagement with an African Union delegation at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said Amupitan was carrying out an official assignment outside the Federal Capital Territory and could delegate his responsibilities while away.
“The Chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi said in a short message to our corespondent via WhatsApp.
The issue was raised by the Obidient Movement, which asked the electoral commission to explain when and why Amupitan handed over his duties to Gumus.
The movement’s National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, also sought clarification on whether the INEC chairman had travelled outside the country and requested 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 argued that the matter deserved clarification because of INEC’s responsibility for conducting elections and the importance of confidence in the commission’s leadership as the country approaches the 2027 polls.
“As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy,” he said.
However, activities published on INEC’s official social media platforms indicated that Amupitan had been attending engagements outside Nigeria.
The chairman was shown in Ottawa, Canada, where he met Google Global Lead, Civic Responsibility, David J. Lopez, alongside INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections.
Amupitan had also met officials of Microsoft and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, with discussions covering emerging technology, cybersecurity and the use of responsible artificial intelligence to strengthen electoral systems.
He also addressed the AI conference, where he spoke about Nigeria’s experience and lessons in integrating responsible AI into election administration.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of increased attention on INEC as political parties and other stakeholders prepare for the 2027 general elections.
A senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also dismissed the concerns surrounding Amupitan’s absence from Abuja.
“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.
