2027: Amupitan clarifies alleged bias, ownership of X account, voter register manipulation

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has dismissed allegations questioning his governmental neutrality pursuing claims that his telephone fig was associated with a arguable relationship connected X, formerly Twitter.

Amupitan insisted that helium had ne'er owned oregon operated an relationship connected a societal media platform, adding that an autarkic forensic introspection had been conducted to analyse the claims.

He disclosed that the substance had besides been referred to the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Inspector-General of Police for further investigation.

The INEC president made this known connected Thursday portion speaking astatine a high-level lawsuit hosted by Chatham House successful London successful collaboration with the Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI.

Addressing concerns astir his erstwhile engagement successful politically delicate tribunal cases and whether specified engagements could impact his impartiality arsenic electoral umpire, Amupitan explained that his information successful those matters was strictly based connected his nonrecreational responsibilities arsenic a lawyer earlier assuming office.

He reaffirmed his committedness to upholding the country's Constitution and electoral laws, insisting that his decisions arsenic INEC president would not beryllium influenced by governmental interests.

“My loyalty is solely to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act,” helium affirmed.

“Every law institution—including the Presidency, the National Assembly, and authorities governors—owes its superior loyalty to the Constitution and the regularisation of law.”

The electoral committee president besides addressed allegations of irregularities successful the nationalist elector register, including reports claiming that the fig of registered voters successful a ward successful Ebonyi State had accrued by 85 per cent.

He said INEC had looked into the ailment and taken steps to resoluteness the substance successful accordance with the provisions of the law.

Amupitan further explained that the Electoral Act gives Nigerians the close to rise objections, taxable claims and petition certified existent copies of the elector registry arsenic portion of measures to beforehand transparency and accountability successful the electoral process.

Amupitan, portion speaking connected the value of younker information successful democracy, urged young Nigerians to go actively progressive successful shaping the country's governmental future.

He stressed that the work of gathering a amended Nigeria rests partially connected the younger generation, informing that the circulation of mendacious accusation and integer disinformation could weaken nationalist assurance successful antiauthoritarian institutions.

“This state belongs to young Nigerians, and they indispensable proceed moving toward the Nigeria they want,” helium said.

“Misinformation is among the top dangers facing our democracy. Citizens should verify accusation earlier acting connected it oregon sharing it, and let our ideology the accidental to succeed.”

Nigeria is expected to clasp its 2027 wide elections successful 2 phases, opening with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are subsequently scheduled for February 6, 2027.

2027: Amupitan clarifies alleged bias, ownership of X account, elector registry manipulation