Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has opposed a proposal to invite the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to brief the full House on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Kalu argued that the commission’s public briefings were sufficient to address many concerns about its readiness for the polls, insisting that further inquiries should be handled by the House Committee on Electoral Matters.
He made the position known during Wednesday’s plenary while lawmakers deliberated on a motion sponsored by the Minority Whip, Mansur Soro, and Deputy Minority Leader, Abdulsamad Dasuki, seeking to invite the INEC chairman to explain the commission’s preparations.
Opposing the proposal, Kalu warned that inviting Amupitan to address the entire House shortly after his public briefing could distract the electoral body and potentially undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
He maintained that the relevant committee had the mandate and capacity to engage with INEC and examine outstanding concerns ahead of the elections.
According to him, the commission had been engaging the public on its preparations, had commenced activities on schedule and had not raised concerns about logistics.
Kalu also argued that subjecting INEC to what he considered an untimely plenary inquiry would be inappropriate, urging lawmakers to support the commission’s preparations while allowing the relevant committee to carry out its oversight responsibilities.
He subsequently proposed an amendment to the motion, recommending that the INEC chairman meet with the Committee on Electoral Matters rather than appear before the full House.
The proposal was seconded by Babajimi Benson, a member of the House representing a Lagos State constituency.
Following a voice vote conducted by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, lawmakers adopted the amendment and referred the motion to the Committee on Electoral Matters.
The committee is expected to engage with INEC on its preparedness for the 2027 elections, while addressing concerns raised by lawmakers about the electoral process.
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