The Independent National Electoral Commission has clarified that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is currently outside Abuja on official duties and has delegated his responsibilities to another National Commissioner.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, gave the explanation while responding to questions over Amupitan’s absence from the commission’s headquarters.
“The Chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi said.
The clarification followed questions from the Obidient Movement after National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus appeared as Acting Chairman during an engagement with an African Union delegation at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The movement’s National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, had asked the commission to explain Amupitan’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding Gumus’s appearance in an acting capacity.
The group also wanted INEC to clarify whether Amupitan had travelled outside Nigeria and, if so, disclose details of his official engagements.
Tanko argued that greater public communication was necessary because of INEC’s responsibility for organising elections and the importance of public confidence in the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, information published through INEC’s official social media channels indicates that Amupitan has been undertaking official engagements outside Nigeria.
In one of its recent updates, the commission showed Amupitan in Ottawa, Canada, where he met Google Global Lead for Civic Responsibility, David J. Lopez.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections and was attended by INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode.
Amupitan had also held meetings with representatives of Microsoft and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems during his Canada engagements.
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His discussions with Microsoft officials Ethan Chumley, Emerging Tech and Cyber Lead, and Ariana Molina, Programme Manager, focused on emerging technologies, cybersecurity and the use of responsible artificial intelligence in strengthening electoral processes.
The INEC chairman also addressed the AI conference, where he discussed Nigeria’s experience and lessons from efforts to incorporate responsible artificial intelligence into election administration.
The development comes as INEC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections, with technology, cybersecurity and electoral integrity among the issues receiving increased attention.
A senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also dismissed concerns about the chairman being away from the commission’s Abuja headquarters.
The official said Amupitan was attending a conference and had continued to perform official duties, including delivering an address and holding meetings.
The official maintained that the chairman was not required to remain physically at INEC headquarters in Abuja to carry out his responsibilities.
INEC’s clarification effectively addresses the immediate question over Amupitan’s absence, confirming that he is away on official assignment and that his responsibilities can be delegated to another National Commissioner while he is away.
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