RismadarVoice Reporters
November 14, 2026
Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has questioned the reported interaction between the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, and the United Kingdom Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Doherty.
The controversy followed Amupitan’s visit to Chatham House in London on November 12, where he participated in discussions on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
VeryDarkMan raised concerns about the perception of political neutrality following the circulation of videos and photographs showing Doherty around the venue.
The activist, however, dismissed claims that Amupitan personally wore an APC-branded cap during the visit.
According to him, the footage circulating online showed Doherty wearing the political headwear, rather than the INEC chairman.
Despite disputing the allegation about the cap, VeryDarkMan questioned whether the interaction between the electoral commission’s chairman and a senior official of the ruling party was appropriate.
He argued that such associations could create public perceptions of political closeness and raise questions about the commission’s independence.
The controversy intensified after photographs from the London event were circulated on social media, with some users mistakenly identifying Amupitan as the individual wearing the APC-branded cap.
A subsequent investigation by FactCheckAfrica identified the individual as Doherty, confirming that the photograph had been wrongly attributed to the INEC chairman.
Doherty is a prominent APC official in the United Kingdom and has been involved in the party’s diaspora activities.
Meanwhile, Amupitan faced protests outside Chatham House, where demonstrators questioned INEC’s credibility and demanded his resignation over alleged irregularities in Nigeria’s preliminary voters’ register.
During his engagement in London, the INEC chairman defended the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections and rejected allegations of political bias.
He also denied operating a social media account previously linked to expressions of support for President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
Although Doherty’s presence around the event has been reported, the precise circumstances and purpose of any meeting between the two men have not been independently established.
There is also no verified evidence that the reported interaction involved political coordination or interference in INEC’s responsibilities.
The controversy has nevertheless renewed public debate about the importance of transparency, institutional independence and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
