INEC Breaks Silence on Amupitan’s Resignation
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted to reports circulating on social media that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is planning to resign, firmly dismissing the claim as fake.
In a public notice released to address the viral report, the commission described the information as false, fabricated and misleading, urging Nigerians not to give it attention.
The purported report, which circulated alongside an image suggesting that Amupitan was preparing to vacate his position, was dismissed by INEC as a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation.
“The claim is FALSE, FABRICATED AND MISLEADING,” the commission declared.
INEC also warned members of the public against circulating the image, advising Nigerians to verify information before sharing it and obtain authentic updates through the commission’s official communication platforms.
The development comes days after Amupitan faced a heated confrontation from Nigerians protesting outside Chatham House in London over concerns about the credibility of the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Naija News House reported on Friday that the protesters surrounded a vehicle believed to be conveying the INEC chairman as he attempted to leave the London venue.
The demonstrators demanded that Amupitan step out of the vehicle and explain alleged irregularities in Nigeria’s voters’ register, questioning his ability to guarantee the independence of the electoral commission.
A video obtained by Naija News House showed several protesters blocking the vehicle’s movement while shouting and demanding that the chairman address them.
“Come outside and address us. Let him come outside and talk to us. He is the one we want,” one of the protesters repeatedly shouted.
Another demonstrator questioned the commission’s independence, declaring: “He is the one we want. He is the Nigerian Electoral Empire. He needs to come out and tell us how he’s independent.”
The protesters also turned their attention to Nigeria’s worsening economic situation, chanting, “People are hungry,” repeatedly.
As tensions heightened, some demonstrators resorted to insults, with one shouting, “Look at him, bastard, evil man. God will punish you. Why are you running?”
Another protester described the INEC chairman as a wicked and evil man while accusing him of avoiding questions about the commission’s credibility.
The demonstration followed growing public concerns over INEC’s preliminary voters’ register, which reportedly contained questionable entries, including photographs suspected to be AI-generated, duplicate registrations and names of deceased individuals.
