NEWS
2027: Obidient movement questions INEC chairman’s whereabouts
The Obidient Movement on Wednesday demanded clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission on the whereabouts and official engagements of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, after National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus appeared as Acting Chairman at an official engagement with an African Union delegation in Abuja.
The movement, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the development had raised questions about Amupitan’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his absence from the commission’s headquarters.
The development followed an INEC post on X on Tuesday, September 15, which identified Gumus as the Acting Chairman of the commission while receiving an AU Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission to Nigeria.
The AU delegation, led by former Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, visited INEC headquarters in Abuja as part of its assessment of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Gumus is a serving National Commissioner of INEC and is listed on the commission’s official website among its national commissioners.
However, Tanko said the movement was concerned that there had been no public communication, to its knowledge, explaining when or why Amupitan handed over his duties to Gumus.
He said, “As far as the Obidient Movement and Nigerians are concerned, there was no official communication of Professor Amupitan’s handover to anyone, either in acting or substantive capacity.
“This raises legitimate questions about the Chairman’s current location, official schedule and the circumstances surrounding his absence.”
The group urged INEC to clarify where Amupitan was, when he left Abuja, the purpose of his absence and who authorised it.
It also asked the commission to disclose whether the chairman had travelled outside the country and, if so, the official engagements he had undertaken.
The movement further demanded clarification on whether Amupitan had met, or was scheduled to meet, President Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress or any representative of the ruling party.
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 polls.
“As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy,” he said.
The movement national coordinator also questioned what it described as the chairman’s alleged “antecedents and strong affection for the APC,” urging INEC to demonstrate transparency and political neutrality in its operations.
He said, “The era of the INEC Chairman having strategy meetings with the APC and the ruling party must be a thing of the past.
“Nigerians do not trust this INEC Chairman or the Commission he leads, so it behoves him and the Commission to not only be transparent and non-partisan, but to also be seen as such.”
Tanko further said the electoral commission belonged to Nigerians and that its leadership should remain accountable to the public.
“It is important to reemphasise that the electoral commission belongs to the Nigerian people. Its leadership must therefore be accountable to the public and must not leave room for speculation about secret political engagements, especially given their many past antecedents and the crisis of confidence that the Commission continues to face,” he said.
The movement therefore called on INEC to publicly state Amupitan’s whereabouts and explain his official engagements.
The call comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Efforts to get the reaction of the commission were unsuccessful.
As of the time of filing this story, INEC Chief Press Secretary, Dayo Oketola, could not be reached on the phone to clarify the issue.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to immediately stop parading himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday after ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ruling represents a significant development in the contest for the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.
The court’s directive requires Uzodinma to cease presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District seat, pending the implications of the court’s decision.
The development is expected to generate further political reactions within the APC in Imo State as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Usman Nuhu, popularly known as Ogbegbe, has appeared in court in Asaba, Delta State, to face charges over the alleged killing of Oghenemine, who reportedly went to collect a waybill at Effurun Roundabout.
During the court proceedings, Ogbegbe, who appeared visibly lean and shaky, denied killing Oghenemine. He reportedly told the court that he used a stone near the deceased to apply pressure on his body so he would confess. He also claimed that he was beaten with floor tiles at the Ekpan Police Station.
The court reportedly reminded him that the statements he was making were under oath.
The second defendant, who was charged alongside Ogbegbe, also told the court that the police forced him to admit that he was present when Oghenemine was allegedly killed. He maintained that he was not at the scene when the incident occurred.
The court ordered that Ogbegbe be remanded in prison, while the second to fifth defendants were granted bail.
The other defendants are Onoloko Dauroupamo, Okoh Kelechi, Goodluck Kingsley and Omonigho Ahweyevu.
The case was adjourned until November 17, 2026, for further proceedings.
NEWS
Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, a grassroot leader and stunch member of Labour party; bids farewell to Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh.
The former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State 7th House of Assembly, and the representative of Ohafia North State Constituency at the current 8th House, Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, has once again shown his love for his people, friends and constituents, as he identifies with the family of Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh, who was laid to rest yesterday, 1st October 2026 in his hometown, Abiriba.
The presence of the House member during the wake-keep on 30th September, turned the event to a mini carnival as the youths of Abiriba troopped out from all corners of Abiriba community that night to be with their leader who is always at home with his people and to identify with one of their leaders Chief John Okiyi Kalu, whose Uncle was being buried.
During a condolence visit to the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in his country home, the House member and Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, took time to console and pray for the entire family.
In his speech, Mandela expressed his sympathy over the demise of Chief Maxwell, who he described as a perfect gentleman and a true son of Abiriba Kingdom. He enjoined the family to carry on with his legacies, and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Responding on behalf of the family, the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, thanked the house member for finding time to be with the family in their time of grief all through the wake keep and the funeral service proper. He described him as a trusted representative of the people who stands with his people at all times. Furthermore, he thanked the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, who coincidentally is of same age grade with him, for finding time to come and for his prayers.
The house member was accompanied by some leaders and members of Labour party, his legislative aide, and some of his children.
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