The Obidient Movement has demanded answers from the Independent National Electoral Commission over the whereabouts and official engagements of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, following his absence from a key meeting on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The demand was contained in a statement released by the movement’s Media and Communications Directorate on Wednesday.

The group’s reaction followed the appearance of National Commissioner, Rhoda Gumus, as Acting Chairman of INEC at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, where she represented Amupitan during a meeting with an African Union Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission.

SEE MORE: Obi’s Birthday Echoes Loud in Sokoto as ‘Obidients’ Shower Patients with Gifts

The AU delegation, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, is assessing Nigeria’s preparedness ahead of the 2027 elections.

The mission is examining issues including voter registration and register integrity, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, dispute resolution, security coordination and results management.

At the meeting, Gumus reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to an independent, neutral and professional electoral process, saying the Commission was working towards a transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful 2027 election.

However, the Obidient Movement said Nigerians had not been adequately informed about the circumstances surrounding Amupitan’s absence.

The group consequently demanded that INEC disclose Amupitan’s current location, his official schedule and the circumstances under which Gumus assumed responsibility for representing him at the AU engagement.

The Obidients specifically asked INEC to explain when the chairman left Abuja, the purpose of any official trip, who authorised his absence and whether he had travelled outside the country.

They also demanded disclosure of his official meetings and engagements since his reported absence, including whether he had met, or was scheduled to meet, President Bola Tinubu, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, or representatives of the ruling party who, according to the group, had also travelled outside the country.

“INEC must tell Nigerians where its chairman is and what he is doing,” the group said.

According to the movement, the questions have become necessary because of the strategic importance of INEC and the increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections.

It argued that the leadership of the electoral commission should operate with maximum transparency, particularly as preparations for the next general elections intensify.

The group also questioned what it described as the absence of a publicly communicated handover arrangement before Gumus represented Amupitan at the AU engagement.

The Obidient Movement said the AU meeting underscored the importance of INEC’s leadership and its responsibility to maintain public confidence as the country approaches another election cycle.

The group said INEC’s assurances about an independent and credible electoral process would carry greater weight if the commission’s leadership also demonstrated transparency in its own official activities.

It said Nigerians should not be left to speculate about the whereabouts or engagements of the person constitutionally responsible for leading the nation’s electoral body as the country approaches another crucial election cycle.

The movement further urged INEC to make public the circumstances surrounding the chairman’s absence and provide Nigerians with sufficient information to dispel questions over his official activities.

It maintained that electoral credibility was not only about conducting elections but also about ensuring that the institution responsible for organising them remained accountable to the Nigerian public.

The Obidients also alleged that concerns over the perceived political neutrality of the electoral commission had contributed to a crisis of confidence and argued that INEC should take steps to avoid any situation capable of deepening public suspicion.

The group maintained that the electoral commission belonged to Nigerians and that its leadership should therefore be accountable to the public.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the development has placed renewed attention on INEC’s leadership, its public communication and the steps being taken to assure political parties, civil society groups and voters of the Commission’s independence.

The Obidient Movement therefore challenged INEC to provide answers to the questions surrounding Amupitan’s absence, insisting that transparency was essential to building confidence in the electoral process.

“INEC must tell Nigerians where its chairman is and what he is doing,” the statement concluded.

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has called for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be allowed to continue in office, saying the President deserves the opportunity to complete what he described as his good work.

The monarch made the remarks on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, when the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’azeez Yari, led a delegation of leaders of the ruling party to the Benin Palace for consultations and prayers.

SEE MORE: Sunday Dare Highlights Tinubu’s Key Achievements, Fires Back at Steve Osuji

The delegation included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, former governors, senators and other senior party leaders.

The remarks were disclosed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications and Spokesperson to the President, in a post on X.

The Oba appeared to tacitly back Tinubu’s bid for a renewed four-year mandate, saying it was the prayer of the people that a leader who was doing well should be given the opportunity to continue.

“For somebody who is doing well, it is our prayer that he gets a renewed mandate,” the monarch said.

He added in Pidgin English, “As he Dey pain them. He Dey sweet us…”

The Oba also urged Nigerians and political leaders to focus on the President’s achievements and support areas where his administration was making progress.

“If one is doing well, why not join hands with the President to do what he is doing well. Let President Tinubu finish the good work,” he said.

The traditional ruler further quoted the Bible in making his case, saying, “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.”

The monarch also asked the delegation to convey his best wishes to President Tinubu and thanked him for receiving him warmly in Abuja.

“Convey my best wishes to Mr. President. Give my appreciation to the President receiving me so warmly in Abuja,” he said.

The Oba’s comments come amid increasing political consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with President Tinubu’s potential second-term bid expected to remain a major issue in the coming political season.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned an alleged attack on its members during a peaceful grassroots meeting in Obuoffia Ward, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In a statement issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, the party described the incident as an “unprovoked and dastardly attack” and alleged that its members had been repeatedly targeted by state-sponsored thugs.

SEE MORE: 2027 Election: Obi–Kwankwaso Group Warns of Plot to Divide NDC in Enugu

The NDC said its members, as a registered political party, have a constitutional right to participate in the democratic process through peaceful assembly.

“This incessant assault on our members by state-sponsored thugs must stop,” the party said.

“No amount of intimidation will silence this constitutionally guaranteed right.”

The party alleged that the violence against its members in Enugu and other parts of the South-East amounted to an attack on democracy and the freedom of association guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.

The NDC also accused security agencies of being complacent and slow to respond to attacks against opposition members in Enugu and across the South-East.

“We also condemn the complacency and lackadaisical attitude of the security agencies towards the opposition in Enugu and across the South-East,” the statement read.

According to the party, the alleged failure of security agencies to act promptly had emboldened those behind the attacks.

The NDC further claimed that it had previously suffered two attacks in Imo State during a town hall meeting and consultation involving its senatorial candidate, Uche Onyeagocha.

The party alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu was “jittery and disturbed” by what it described as the growing momentum of the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, the party vowed to continue its political activities despite the alleged attacks.

“The NDC will not be cowed. We will continue to organise, mobilise, and defend the democratic space,” it said.

The party also called on security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible, including their alleged sponsors, are brought to justice.

“If the goal of those sponsoring these thugs and attacks is to instil fear in the hearts of the people, they have failed woefully,” the NDC said.

It added that the incident would instead strengthen its resolve to mobilise support for the party and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.