Obidient Movement Questions INEC Chairman's Absence Ahead of 2027 Elections

Tensions are rising within Nigeria’s electoral governance landscape as the Obidient Movement calls for an immediate explanation regarding the location and official engagements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman. The group expressed concern after Prof. Joash Amupitan was absent from a significant meeting with an African Union delegation in Abuja, an engagement intended to assess the country’s readiness for the 2027 general elections. According to reports from the GN auto geopolitics/africa: Nigeria elections desk, the movement questions the lack of public communication explaining the handover of duties to National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus, who served as Acting Chairman during the visit.

The Obidient Movement stated that no official notice was received regarding Amupitan’s temporary delegation of authority, raising legitimate inquiries about his current location and schedule. The group urged the electoral body to disclose whether the Chairman traveled abroad, the purpose of any such travel, and who authorized his absence from the commission’s headquarters. This demand for transparency comes as political activities intensify ahead of the upcoming polls, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.

African Union Mission Assesses Readiness

The African Union Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission visited INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday to evaluate Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 elections. Led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, the delegation met with Prof. Gumus, who represented the Commission during the Chairman’s absence. During the engagement, Gumus outlined the scale of the upcoming electoral exercise, noting a voter population approaching 100 million and a workforce exceeding 1.4 million personnel. She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to maintaining electoral integrity and neutrality throughout the process.

Calls for Political Neutrity

The Obidient Movement’s statement highlighted specific concerns regarding the perceived relationship between the INEC leadership and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The group referenced what it described as Amupitan’s strong affiliation with the party, urging the Commission to demonstrate clear political neutrality. It asserted that the era of strategic meetings between the electoral body and ruling party figures must end, emphasizing that Nigerians require visible transparency and non-partisanship from the Commission’s leadership to restore trust in the institution.

Accountability Ahead of General Elections

As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the Obidient Movement argues that the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy. The group emphasized that the electoral commission belongs to the Nigerian people and that its leadership must be accountable to the public. By demanding clarification on Amupitan’s whereabouts and engagements, the movement seeks to prevent speculation about secret political interactions. The next steps will likely involve an official response from INEC addressing these queries, which could set a precedent for how transparency is managed in the lead-up to the national polls.