RismadarVoice Reporters
September 16, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission has said its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is currently outside Abuja on official duty and has the authority to delegate his responsibilities to any National Commissioner.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, disclosed this in response to concerns raised by the Obidient Movement over the whereabouts of the commission’s chairman.
“The Chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi said in a message to a correspondent.
The clarification followed a statement by the Obidient Movement questioning Amupitan’s absence after National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus appeared as Acting Chairman during a meeting with a delegation from the African Union at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The movement, through its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, asked INEC to explain when and why Amupitan handed over his duties to Gumus.
It also requested clarification on whether the INEC chairman had travelled outside the country and, if so, details of his official engagements.
Tanko said the group was concerned that there had been no public communication regarding the chairman’s handover, arguing that the issue raised questions about his location and official schedule.
He said the concerns were particularly relevant 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.
However, activities posted on INEC’s official social media platforms showed that Amupitan had been participating in engagements outside Nigeria.
A recent post showed the chairman in Ottawa, Canada, where he met Google’s Global Lead for Civic Responsibility, David J. Lopez, alongside INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections.
Amupitan had also held discussions with senior officials of Microsoft and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems on emerging technologies, cybersecurity and the application of responsible artificial intelligence to electoral processes.
He also addressed the AI conference, where he shared Nigeria’s experience and lessons in promoting responsible AI within electoral administration.
Meanwhile, an unnamed senior INEC official dismissed the controversy, saying the chairman was not required to remain in Abuja to discharge his responsibilities.
The official said Amupitan was attending a conference, had delivered an address and participated in official meetings, adding that his duties could be delegated during his absence.