INEC: Amupitan Away on Official Assignment, Can Delegate Powers

Questions over the whereabouts of the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, have drawn a clarification from the electoral commission.

ValidViewNetwork reports that INEC says Amupitan is currently outside Abuja on an official assignment and has the authority to delegate his responsibilities to another National Commissioner.

INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, gave the explanation after concerns were raised over the chairman’s absence while National Commissioner Prof Rhoda Gumus appeared as Acting Chairman during an engagement with an African Union delegation.

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

The explanation followed questions from the Obidient Movement, which asked INEC to clarify the circumstances surrounding Amupitan’s absence and the delegation of his duties.

The movement’s National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, said the group wanted greater clarity because of INEC’s constitutional responsibility for conducting elections.

However, information from INEC’s official platforms indicates that Amupitan has been attending international engagements on responsible artificial intelligence and elections, including meetings in Ottawa involving technology and electoral stakeholders.

The development comes as attention on INEC increases ahead of the 2027 elections.

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The commission’s explanation provides the immediate position on the chairman’s whereabouts, while questions about institutional communication can be addressed through the appropriate administrative and legal channels.

For an electoral body, transparency and public confidence remain important, but concerns should be resolved through verified information and due institutional process rather than speculation, ValidViewNetwork reports.