Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has reiterated that his loyalty lies exclusively with the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. This statement came amid rising concerns regarding his impartiality as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
Amupitan spoke during a high-level dialogue at Chatham House in London, organized in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI). The event, themed “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot,” provided a platform for discussions on the electoral process.
His remarks follow controversies over an X (formerly Twitter) account that was purportedly linked to him, which allegedly made a pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) statement during the 2023 general elections. INEC has denied that Amupitan operated this account, labelling it digital impersonation.
Amupitan denied any association with the account and noted that the matter has been referred to the Department of State Services and the Inspector-General of Police for investigation. Addressing the question of his impartiality, he stated that his dedication is to the legal framework of the country rather than any political affiliations. He remarked, “My loyalty is solely to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.” He insisted that all constitutional institutions must prioritize their allegiance to the Constitution.
The INEC chairman also dismissed criticisms regarding his prior involvement with political disputes, asserting that he acted within his professional responsibilities as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria prior to his current role.
Amupitan called on the Nigerian populace to have faith in his leadership to facilitate transparent and credible elections in 2027. He referenced improvements noted in recent state elections, which followed lessons learned from the controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election.
Highlighting the challenges ahead, including insecurity, logistics, and results management, he also addressed recent allegations about irregularities in the voters’ register, reaffirming that INEC has taken appropriate actions as per statutory procedures to resolve these issues.
Furthermore, he urged the youth of Nigeria to stay actively engaged in the democratic process, cautioning against the dangers posed by misinformation. He stressed that young Nigerians play a crucial role in shaping the future of the country, encouraging them to verify information before sharing to enhance the democratic process.
