INEC speaks on chairman Amupitan’s whereabouts

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained the absence of its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, saying he is currently away on an official assignment.

The clarification followed questions raised by the Obidient Movement over the whereabouts of the INEC chairman after another National Commissioner, Professor Rhoda Gumus, appeared in the capacity of Acting Chairman during an engagement with a delegation from the African Union at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The development had attracted attention within political circles, with the Obidient Movement demanding an explanation from the electoral commission regarding Amupitan’s absence and Gumus’ appearance as Acting Chairman at the engagement.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, however, said there was no issue with Amupitan being away from Abuja, explaining that the chairman was on official duty.

She also clarified that Amupitan has the authority to delegate his responsibilities to any of the commission’s National Commissioners whenever necessary.

“The Chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi said.

Amupitan’s whereabouts had earlier become a subject of public interest following posts published on INEC’s official X handle and Facebook page, which indicated that the chairman had been engaged in official activities outside the country.

Amupitan in Canada

Last Friday, INEC’s social media accounts published details of one of the chairman’s engagements in Canada.

The post showed Amupitan meeting with Google Global Lead, Civic Responsibility, David J. Lopez, during an official engagement in the country.

He was accompanied by the commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode.

The meeting formed part of the activities undertaken by the INEC chairman outside Nigeria, although the commission did not indicate that his absence from Abuja affected the discharge of the commission’s responsibilities.

The appearance of Gumus as Acting Chairman subsequently provided the immediate context for the questions from the Obidient Movement, particularly as Amupitan’s absence had not been publicly explained at the time.

INEC’s latest response has now provided clarification on the matter, with Eta-Messi stressing that the chairman’s absence from Abuja was due to an official assignment and that he could delegate his powers to another National Commissioner.

The explanation also indicates that the presence of an Acting Chairman at an official engagement does not necessarily mean that the substantive chairman has left office or is unavailable to perform his functions.

The commission has not announced any change in Amupitan’s position as chairman, while its spokesperson’s comments were focused on explaining his absence and the authority to delegate his responsibilities during official assignments.