Fresh questions are being raised by Nigerians over the whereabouts of Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, with some expressing fears that his movements could be linked to secret political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The concern followed Amupitan’s absence from an INEC meeting with an African Union pre election delegation in Abuja, where National Commissioner Professor Rhoda Gumus appeared as Acting Chairman.
INEC has since said Amupitan is outside Abuja on an official assignment and has the authority to delegate his responsibilities to another National Commissioner. Reports also indicate that the chairman has been attending official engagements in Ottawa, Canada, including meetings on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and electoral technology.
Despite the explanation, questions about the timing of his travel continue to circulate.
Some Nigerians are expressing fears that the INEC chairman’s travel could be connected to discussions about the 2027 election, with some alleging that he may have travelled after President Bola Tinubu with the intention of meeting him over a possible plan to rig the 2027 election.
The speculation has gone further, with some Nigerians expressing fears that any undisclosed meeting between the President and the INEC chairman could involve discussions about the 2027 election and even an alleged plan to rig the poll.
The questions have nevertheless intensified calls for INEC to be more open about the chairman’s movements and official engagements, particularly because the commission is responsible for conducting the 2027 elections.
The issue gained attention after an INEC post showed Professor Rhoda Gumus receiving the African Union delegation in Abuja as Acting Chairman, prompting demands for clarification about when Amupitan left Abuja, where he was and who authorised the delegation of his duties.
INEC’s explanation is that Amupitan is carrying out official duties outside Abuja. The commission’s own updates show that he has been involved in international meetings connected to electoral technology and responsible artificial intelligence.
For many Nigerians, however, the controversy is now about more than the chairman’s location. It has become a question of transparency and whether every major engagement involving the head of the electoral commission should be made clear to the public ahead of a crucial national election.
As preparations for 2027 continue, the growing calls from Nigerians for answers are likely to keep attention focused on INEC, its chairman and the commission’s commitment to an open and trusted electoral process.
