The Obidient Movement has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain the absence of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, from a meeting with an African Union (AU) electoral delegation in Abuja.
The group wants the electoral commission to clarify the circumstances surrounding Amupitan’s absence and explain why National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus represented him at the engagement.
The meeting, held on Tuesday at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, involved the AU Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Demeke Mekonnen.
According to INEC, Gumus represented the chairman during the meeting, which forms part of the AU mission’s assessment of Nigeria’s readiness for the 2027 general elections. The mission is scheduled to take place from September 13 to 19.
However, the Obidient Movement has demanded further information about the arrangement.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its Media and Communications Directorate, the group asked INEC to state whether there was a formal transfer of authority during Amupitan’s absence and, if so, provide details about when and why it took place.
The movement also asked the commission to disclose the chairman’s current location, when he departed Abuja and the reason for his absence.
It further questioned whether Amupitan had travelled outside the country and requested information on any official engagements he may have undertaken during the period.
The group also asked INEC to clarify whether the chairman had held or planned meetings with President Bola Tinubu, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), or representatives of the governing party.
The Obidient Movement said its questions were prompted by the importance of INEC’s constitutional responsibility to conduct elections and the need to maintain public confidence in the commission ahead of the 2027 polls.
It also raised concerns about what it described as Amupitan’s previous connections with the APC, calling on the electoral commission to demonstrate transparency and political neutrality.
The movement argued that INEC should operate in a manner that does not create doubts about its independence, particularly as political activities ahead of the next general election gather momentum.
At the AU meeting, however, Gumus provided an update on INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
She said the commission was preparing for an electoral exercise involving nearly 100 million registered voters, 176,846 polling units and more than 1.4 million personnel.
The AU delegation is examining several aspects of Nigeria’s electoral preparations, including voter registration, technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, security arrangements and the management of election results.
Gumus also reaffirmed INEC’s stated commitment to independence, neutrality and professionalism, stressing that the 2027 election should reflect the will of Nigerian voters.
The Obidient Movement has nevertheless maintained that INEC should provide clarification on the circumstances surrounding Amupitan’s absence from the AU engagement.
The group said greater openness from the commission would help prevent speculation and strengthen confidence in the electoral process as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
