2027: Obidient Movement Demands Explanation Over INEC Chairman Amupitan’s Absence

The Obidient Movement has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain why its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was absent from an official engagement with an African Union delegation in Abuja.

The demand followed an INEC engagement with the AU Pre-Election Needs Assessment Mission on Tuesday, September 15, where National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus appeared as Acting Chairman. INEC has confirmed that Gumus received the delegation on behalf of the commission as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The AU delegation, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, is in Nigeria to assess the country’s electoral preparedness and identify areas where technical and institutional support may be required ahead of the 2027 polls. Gumus said the engagement would help strengthen electoral processes and public confidence in the ballot.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the Obidient Movement said it was concerned that it had not seen a public explanation stating when or why Amupitan handed over his duties to Gumus.

Tanko called on INEC to clarify Amupitan’s whereabouts, when he left Abuja, the purpose of his absence and who authorised Gumus to act in his place. The group also asked whether the chairman travelled outside Nigeria and, if so, what official engagements he undertook.

The movement further questioned whether Amupitan had met or was scheduled to meet President Bola Tinubu, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress or representatives of the ruling party. These were presented as questions by the group, not as established evidence of such meetings.

Tanko said the request for clarification was important because of INEC’s responsibility for organising elections and the need for public confidence in the commission as Nigeria approaches the 2027 polls. He also criticised what he described as alleged political links involving the INEC chairman and called for greater transparency and neutrality.

INEC’s official records identify Amupitan as the commission’s chairman, a position he has held since October 2025. The commission has also continued to publicly outline preparations for the 2027 elections under his leadership.

As of the time of reporting, no response from INEC addressing the specific questions raised by the Obidient Movement was available. The commission, however, has reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful elections, with Gumus telling the AU delegation that electoral decisions would be guided by law and transparency