The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied reports that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is preparing to resign from office. In a statement on its official X account, INEC described the rumour as false, fabricated, and misleading. The commission urged Nigerians to disregard the claim and rely solely on its official communication channels for accurate information. This clarification comes amid growing scrutiny of Amupitan's leadership following controversies surrounding the preliminary voters' register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversy surrounding INEC's voters' register began when Amupitan disclosed that 1,608,660 invalid registrations had been removed from the preliminary voters' register. This followed a review of entries from the 2025 and 2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercises. Additionally, 54 individuals across 10 states were identified over alleged registration irregularities and could face disciplinary action, including prosecution. These developments have raised concerns about the credibility of INEC's voter registration process.
The rumour of Amupitan's resignation gained traction after protesters confronted his vehicle outside Chatham House in London, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the voters' register. During his engagement at Chatham House, Amupitan acknowledged that controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections had significantly damaged public confidence in INEC. He, however, appealed to Nigerians to trust his leadership, assuring that measures had been introduced to address previous shortcomings.
Amupitan also announced plans for a nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise on November 28 to test upgrades to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results ahead of the 2027 general elections. This move aims to improve the credibility of future elections and restore public trust in INEC. The exercise will help identify areas for improvement and ensure a more transparent and efficient electoral process.
INEC's denial of Amupitan's resignation comes as a relief to his supporters, who have been rallying behind him amid the controversies. The commission's statement has also urged members of the public to be cautious when sharing information on social media, emphasizing the importance of verifying information through official channels. This is crucial in preventing the spread of misinformation and ensuring that accurate information is disseminated to the public.
The challenges facing INEC, under Amupitan's leadership, are significant. The commission must work to restore public trust and ensure that the electoral process is transparent and credible. The upcoming mock accreditation and voting exercise will be an important step in this process. By testing new technologies and procedures, INEC can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments before the 2027 general elections.
As INEC moves forward, it will be essential to maintain transparency and communication with the public. The commission must continue to provide accurate and timely information about its activities and leadership. By doing so, INEC can work to rebuild public trust and ensure that the electoral process is fair, transparent, and credible. The denial of Amupitan's resignation is a step in the right direction, and INEC must continue to take proactive steps to address the challenges it faces.
Key points
- INEC denies reports of Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan's resignation, calling claims false and misleading.
- The commission removed 1,608,660 invalid registrations from the preliminary voters' register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- INEC plans a nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise on November 28 to test upgrades to BVAS and electronic transmission of results.
