INEC Explains Amupitan’s Absence, Says Chairman Can Delegate Powers to National Commissioners

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained the absence of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, from Abuja, saying he is currently away on an official assignment.

The commission also clarified that the chairman has the authority to delegate his responsibilities to any National Commissioner while he is away.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, gave the clarification in response to questions raised by the Obidient Movement over Amupitan’s whereabouts.

“The Chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi said in a message to our correspondent via WhatsApp.

The clarification followed a statement by the Obidient Movement on Wednesday, in which the group demanded an explanation from INEC after National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, appeared as Acting Chairman during an engagement with an African Union delegation at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The movement, through its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, had questioned why there was no public announcement explaining when or why Amupitan handed over his duties to Gumus.

It also asked the commission to disclose whether the chairman had travelled outside Nigeria and, if so, provide details of his official engagements.

“As far as the Obidient Movement and Nigerians are concerned, there was no official communication of Professor Amupitan’s handover to anyone, either in acting or substantive capacity.

“This raises legitimate questions about the Chairman’s current location, official schedule and the circumstances surrounding his absence,” the statement partly read.

Tanko said the questions were necessary given INEC’s constitutional responsibility for conducting elections and the importance of public confidence in the commission’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy,” he said.

However, checks by our correspondent on the commission’s official social media platforms showed that Amupitan has been engaged in official activities outside Nigeria.

A post on Friday showed the INEC chairman in Ottawa, Canada, where he met Google Global Lead, Civic Responsibility, David J. Lopez, alongside the commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections.

Earlier on Thursday, Amupitan also held strategic partnership meetings with senior officials of Microsoft and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

During the engagements, he met Ethan Chumley, Emerging Tech and Cyber Lead, and Ariana Molina, Programme Manager, to discuss emerging technologies, cybersecurity and responsible artificial intelligence, particularly their application to strengthening the resilience and security of electoral processes.

Amupitan also addressed the AI conference, where he shared Nigeria’s experience and lessons in institutionalising responsible artificial intelligence for electoral administration.

The development comes as INEC faces increased public scrutiny amid preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, another senior INEC official, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, dismissed the concerns raised by the Obidient Movement as unnecessary.

“It is a non-issue. Must he be in Abuja to perform his duties? So, if I were to go on leave, can’t I hand over to someone until I return? The Chairman is attending a conference and even gave an address at the conference. He had some meetings too. So what is the issue? It’s just noise,” the official said.

The commission’s explanation indicates that Amupitan’s absence from the Abuja headquarters is connected to official engagements outside the country, while his responsibilities can be delegated to another National Commissioner when necessary.