INEC chair Amupitan vows strict neutrality ahead of 2027 polls

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Joash Amupitan has insisted his leadership will remain impartial, declaring that his loyalty is owed solely to the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.

Speaking on Thursday at Chatham House in London during a dialogue organised with the Kimpact Development Initiative, Amupitan addressed questions regarding his neutrality and the trust deficit facing the electoral body following the 2023 general elections.

“My loyalty is solely to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act,” Amupitan said. “Every constitutional institution—including the Presidency, the National Assembly, and state governors—owes its primary loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law.”

The INEC chairman also addressed controversy surrounding an X account allegedly linked to him that made partisan posts supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 polls. Denying any connection to the account, he stated that an independent forensic review had been conducted and the matter referred to the Department of State Services and the Inspector-General of Police for investigation.

Furthermore, Amupitan dismissed concerns that his past work as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria handling political disputes would compromise his current role, explaining that he had acted strictly within his professional responsibilities prior to his appointment.

Acknowledging that the 2023 presidential election caused significant damage to public confidence in INEC, Amupitan urged citizens to trust the commission’s preparations for 2027. He pointed to operational improvements in recent off-cycle elections and highlighted security, logistics and result management as the electoral body’s primary focuses ahead of the next general election.