Thousands of residents and civil society groups on Thursday staged a protest at the Rivers State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling for the resignation of its chairman, Joash Amupitan.
The demonstrators gathered early in the day and blocked access to the commission’s office along Aba Road, disrupting traffic and commercial activities in parts of the city. Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans expressing dissatisfaction with the electoral body, citing concerns over the credibility of the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The protest follows reports alleging that Amupitan made comments perceived as favouring certain political interests in ongoing legal disputes. Protest leaders argued that such remarks, if accurate, could undermine the neutrality expected of the electoral umpire.
“We have lost confidence in the leadership of the commission,” a protest coordinator said, insisting that the chairman should step aside in the interest of electoral integrity.
In a response from its national headquarters, INEC dismissed the protest as politically motivated and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible elections. The commission maintained that preparations for the 2027 polls remain on course and that its leadership remains focused on upholding due process.
Security personnel, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed to the area to maintain order. While the protest was largely peaceful, the blockade caused significant traffic congestion around the busy Aba Road corridor.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and law professor, assumed office in late 2025. His tenure has drawn scrutiny from some political groups amid broader debates over the independence of electoral institutions in Nigeria.
Analysts say the protest highlights growing political tension as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, with public confidence in electoral processes likely to remain a key issue in the coming months.
As of Thursday evening, protesters indicated they would continue their demonstration pending further response from authorities.