The Obidient Movement has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain the whereabouts and official engagements of its Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16, and signed by its Media & Communications Directorate, the group said its demand followed following Amupitan’s absence from an official meeting with an African Union electoral delegation in Abuja where INEC’s introduced Professor Rhoda Gumus as Acting Chairman during Tuesday’s meeting.
According to the movement, INEC’s post on X showed Gumus representing Amupitan at the engagement, but there had been no public communication announcing that the chairman had formally handed over his duties.
“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 said.
The group asked INEC to disclose where Amupitan currently is, when he left Abuja, the purpose of his absence and who authorised it.
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It also demanded information on any meetings or engagements he may have held if he travelled outside the country, including whether he had met or planned to meet President Bola Tinubu, the APC national chairman or any representative of the ruling party.
The movement said its questions were justified by INEC’s constitutional responsibility for conducting Nigeria’s elections and the importance of public confidence in its leadership ahead of 2027.
“These questions are not unreasonable. INEC is constitutionally responsible for conducting Nigeria’s elections, and the independence, transparency and credibility of its leadership have continued to be a cause of concern and are matters of urgent public interest,” it said.
The group also urged the commission to avoid actions that could fuel suspicion as political activities intensify.
“The Commission must not create room for suspicion, especially at a time when political activities are intensifying and Nigerians are demanding credible preparations for 2027,” the statement said.
It further called for greater transparency and non-partisanship in the commission’s leadership.
“INEC must tell Nigerians where its chairman is and what he is doing,” the movement said, concluding its statement with the slogan, “Nigeria must be OK!”