The Obidient Movement has demanded clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission over the whereabouts and official engagements of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, after National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus appeared as Acting Chairman at an official engagement in Abuja.
Gumus received a delegation from the African Union’s Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission at INEC headquarters on Tuesday, September 15, as part of the AU’s assessment of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections. Reports from the engagement identified Gumus as representing Amupitan.
The development prompted the Obidient Movement, through its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, to seek clarification on when and why Amupitan handed over his duties to Gumus.
Tanko said the movement was concerned that, to its knowledge, there had been no public announcement explaining the circumstances of the chairman’s absence.
He called on INEC to disclose Amupitan’s current location, when he left Abuja, the purpose of his absence and who authorised it.
The group also asked the commission to clarify whether the chairman had travelled outside Nigeria and, if so, the official engagements he undertook.
It further sought clarification on whether Amupitan had met or was scheduled to meet President Bola Tinubu, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress or any representative of the ruling party.
Tanko said the questions were important because of INEC’s constitutional responsibility for conducting elections and the need for public confidence in the commission ahead of the 2027 polls.
He also questioned what he described as Amupitan’s alleged political antecedents and claimed association with the APC, urging the electoral commission to demonstrate transparency and neutrality.
The Obidient Movement further called on INEC to ensure that its leadership remained accountable to Nigerians and did not create room for speculation about undisclosed political engagements.
However, available reports from the September 15 AU engagement indicate that Gumus was acting on behalf of Amupitan, while another report stated that the INEC chairman was on an international assignment.
The AU mission, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, is assessing Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 elections, including voter registration, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, security and results management.
As of the time of filing, efforts to obtain a response from INEC on the specific questions raised by the Obidient Movement were unsuccessful.
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