The Obidient Movement has demanded clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the alleged absence of its Chairman, Professor Jossh Ojo Amupitan.
The organisation said the clarification was necessary following Amupitan's "very conspicuous absence from his official duties in recent times".
The Obidient Movement expressed concerns that a certain Professor Rhoda Gumus was recently introduced as the Acting Chairman of INEC and represented Amupitan at an official meeting with the African Union election monitoring delegation in Abuja on Tuesday.
The organisation lamented that no official communication confirmed Amupitan's handover to anyone, either in an acting or substantive capacity.
"This raises legitimate questions about the Chairman's current location, official schedule and the circumstances surrounding his absence.
"As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the INEC Chairman cannot operate in secrecy. Given his antecedents and strong affection for the APC, Nigerians have a right to know where the head of the nation's electoral commission is, who he is meeting and what official responsibilities he is carrying out," it said.
The organisation then raised questions, saying, "Where is the INEC Chairman currently? When did he leave Abuja, and for what official purpose? Who authorised his absence from the Commission's headquarters? What meetings or engagements has he held since leaving the country, if he has travelled? Has he met, or is he scheduled to meet, Mr Bola Tinubu, the APC National Chairman or any representative of the ruling party?"
The Obidient Movement urged INEC not to create room for suspicion, especially as political activities intensify and Nigerians demand credible preparations for 2027.
It said the era of the INEC Chairman holding 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 is on him and the Commission to not only be transparent and non-partisan, but to also be seen as such
"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.
"INEC must tell Nigerians where its chairman is and what he is doing," the Obidient Movement said.
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