Nigeria: Angry Nigerians Confront Amupitan in London, Demand Resignation

What the report says

Nigerian diaspora protesters confronted the vehicle carrying the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, after a speaking event at Chatham House in London on Thursday, according to Daily Trust via AllAfrica. The group blocked the car as he was leaving and demanded that he step out and respond to their grievances. The article says the demonstrators accused INEC under his leadership of lacking independence and favoring Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress.

The report says Amupitan had taken part in a panel discussion on Nigeria’s 2027 elections, democratic direction, and regional stability. During the session, he addressed questions about the legal status of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s potential candidacy and said INEC would follow any final court ruling. The newspaper reported that he stressed the commission’s duty to obey judicial orders, including decisions from the Supreme Court, even if they create political complications.

Amupitan also raised concerns about the volume of pre-election litigation facing INEC, saying the commission has more than 300 pending court cases as election preparations continue. He argued that late court decisions can disrupt logistics, including the procurement of sensitive materials. As broader context, election commissions in many countries often face pressure when disputes are unresolved close to voting day; the article says Amupitan used the occasion to call for earlier resolution of such cases, ideally months before elections.