The Independent National Electoral Commission has explained that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, is outside Abuja on an official assignment and has delegated his responsibilities to another National Commissioner.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, gave the clarification following questions from the Obidient Movement over the whereabouts of the commission’s chairman.
“The Chairman is on an official assignment outside Abuja. He can delegate powers to any National Commissioner,” Eta-Messi said in a message to our correspondent.
The clarification followed a statement by the Obidient Movement on Wednesday after National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus appeared as Acting Chairman during an engagement with an African Union delegation at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The movement, through its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, had asked the commission to explain when and why Amupitan handed over his responsibilities to Gumus.
It also requested clarification on whether the INEC chairman had travelled outside Nigeria and, if so, details of his official engagements.
Tanko said the questions were necessary because of INEC’s constitutional responsibility for conducting elections and the importance of public confidence in the commission’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy,” Tanko said.
Available reports show that Amupitan has been in Ottawa, Canada, for the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections, which held from September 9 to 11, 2026.
On September 11, Amupitan met Google’s Global Lead for Civic Responsibility, David J. Lopez, in Ottawa. He was accompanied by INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode.
The engagement focused on emerging technologies and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in electoral processes.
The conference brought together election management bodies, technology experts and other stakeholders to examine the opportunities and risks associated with AI in elections.
Amupitan also held strategic engagements with senior officials of Microsoft and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems on the sidelines of the Ottawa conference.
His discussions with Microsoft officials focused on emerging technologies, cybersecurity and responsible artificial intelligence, particularly their application to strengthening the resilience and security of electoral processes.
He also held discussions with IFES on the responsible application of AI in election administration.
At the conference, Amupitan presented Nigeria’s experience and lessons in institutionalising responsible AI for electoral administration.
He said the successful deployment of AI in elections would depend on strong institutions, governance structures and safeguards guiding the technology’s use.
Another senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the Obidient Movement’s concerns as a “non-issue”.
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The official argued that the INEC chairman was not required to remain physically present at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja to discharge his responsibilities.
“It is a non-issue. Must he be in Abuja to perform his duties? So, if I were to go on leave, can’t I hand over to someone until I return?” the official said.
The official added that Amupitan was attending a conference, had delivered an address and held official meetings during his trip.
“He had some meetings too. So what is the issue? It’s just noise,” the official said.
The development comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections and expands its engagement with international technology and electoral organisations.
The commission’s recent engagements in Ottawa have centred on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the use of emerging technologies in electoral administration.
