The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified the whereabouts of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, after the Obidient Movement questioned his absence from Abuja and the appearance of National Commissioner Rhoda Gumus as acting chairman at an official engagement. INEC said Amupitan is currently outside Abuja on an official assignment and has the authority […]
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified the whereabouts of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, after the Obidient Movement questioned his absence from Abuja and the appearance of National Commissioner Rhoda Gumus as acting chairman at an official engagement.
INEC said Amupitan is currently outside Abuja on an official assignment and has the authority to delegate his responsibilities to any National Commissioner. The clarification followed questions raised by the Obidient Movement over the circumstances surrounding his absence.
The issue emerged after Gumus appeared as acting chairman while receiving an African Union Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission to Nigeria at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The AU delegation, led by former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, visited the commission as part of its assessment of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The Obidient Movement subsequently demanded that INEC explain Amupitan’s whereabouts, when he left Abuja and the circumstances surrounding his absence from the commission’s headquarters.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the movement said it was unaware of any official communication announcing that Amupitan had handed over his duties to Gumus.
Tanko said the absence of a public explanation had raised questions about the chairman’s location, official schedule and the circumstances under which another commissioner was performing his duties.
The movement also asked INEC to disclose whether Amupitan had travelled outside Nigeria and, if so, identify the official engagements connected to his absence.
Tanko further sought clarification on who authorised the chairman’s absence and why Gumus was designated to act on his behalf during the engagement with the AU delegation.
According to the movement, greater transparency was necessary because of the importance of public confidence in the electoral commission and its constitutional responsibility to conduct elections.
The group also raised concerns about the need for INEC to demonstrate political neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding to the concerns, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, said Amupitan was away from Abuja on an official assignment.
“The chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi said.
The clarification indicates that Gumus’s appearance as acting chairman was based on delegated authority from Amupitan, rather than an indication that he had been removed or replaced as chairman.
The development comes as political groups and other stakeholders intensify scrutiny of INEC’s activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission is expected to face increased public attention over its preparations, leadership and handling of election-related responsibilities as the country moves closer to the polls.