Amupitan's INEC Faces Trust Issues Amid Kogi Polling Changes

Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has been the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for one year as of October 10, 2026. His appointment was met with skepticism due to allegations of partisanship linked to his association with the incumbent president.

Political actors and civil society have questioned his impartiality, especially amid ongoing legal disputes among opposition factions. Concerns were raised when Lere Adeyinka, spokesperson for Nyesom Wike, referenced access to INEC data, prompting INEC to clarify its data governance protocols.

Recently, a group in Kogi State alleged that INEC was creating additional polling wards in Kogi West and Kogi Central while neglecting Kogi East. However, INEC stated that these changes were based on a delimitation exercise considering population growth, voter density, and accessibility challenges documented over previous electoral cycles.