The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed concerns over the absence of its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, from Abuja, saying he is currently outside the Federal Capital Territory on official assignment.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, gave the clarification on Wednesday, September 16, following questions from the Obidient Movement over the chairman’s whereabouts.
“The Chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi told journalists.
The clarification came after the Obidient Movement questioned why National Commissioner, Professor Rhoda Gumus, appeared as Acting Chairman during an engagement between INEC and an African Union electoral delegation in Abuja on Tuesday.
The movement, through its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said there had been no public communication explaining Amupitan’s absence or any formal handover of his responsibilities.
“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 movement said.
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Tanko argued that the questions were justified given INEC’s constitutional responsibility for conducting elections and the need for public confidence in its leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
“As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy,” he said.
However, checks on INEC’s official social media accounts indicate that Amupitan’s absence from Abuja is linked to international engagements connected with electoral technology and artificial intelligence.
A post by the commission showed Amupitan in Ottawa, Canada, where he met Google Global Lead, Civic Responsibility, David J. Lopez, on the sidelines of the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections.
He was accompanied by INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode.
Amupitan also held meetings with senior officials of Microsoft and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, discussing emerging technologies, cybersecurity and responsible artificial intelligence in electoral administration.
He also addressed the AI conference, where he shared Nigeria’s experience with efforts to institutionalise responsible AI in election management.
The development comes as INEC faces increasing scrutiny over its preparations and leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.