A confrontation involving Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Joash Amupitan outside Chatham House in London has sparked a fresh controversy. UK-based Nigerian lawyer Dayo Babalola, who witnessed the incident, alleged that some protesters were paid to stage the demonstration. Babalola claimed that the protesters, numbering between 10 and 15, did not represent Nigerians in the diaspora.
Babalola alleged that a man wearing New Democratic Congress insignia made payments to some members of the protest group on Jermyn Street. He also claimed that some demonstrators wore memorabilia bearing the branding of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. Babalola insisted that his account was based on personal observation, but did not provide documentary evidence.
The demonstration occurred after Amupitan's formal engagement at Chatham House, where he addressed Nigeria's democratic trajectory, electoral preparations, and regional stability ahead of the 2027 general elections. Babalola maintained that Amupitan successfully delivered his presentation, responded to questions, and participated in the panel discussion without disruption.
Babalola dismissed suggestions that the demonstration represented a wider revolt by Nigerians in the diaspora against INEC. He described the protesters as a handful of individuals whose actions should not be elevated into a collective position. The physical audience at the engagement was close to 200, while about 374 people registered and participated online.
The incident has introduced a new political dimension to the controversy surrounding Amupitan's appearance at Chatham House. The allegations of sponsorship raise fresh questions about the political interests behind the London demonstration, the identities of those involved, and whether the incident was part of a wider campaign to undermine INEC's credibility.
INEC has disclosed that it removed 1,608,660 invalid registrations following a review of the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercise, alongside 873 records of deceased persons. The commission also identified 54 persons across 10 states over alleged registration infractions. The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive period for INEC as political parties and opposition groups intensify scrutiny of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Babalola argued that the protesters' actions should not be confused with the substance of Amupitan's engagement, insisting that legitimate criticism of public officials must be distinguished from political propaganda. The incident eventually attracted the attention of Chatham House security officials, while the protesters dispersed after the police were called.
Key points
- UK-based Nigerian lawyer Dayo Babalola alleges that some protesters against INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan were paid by a man with New Democratic Congress insignia.
