Wilbet Ijeoma
The absolute independence and neutrality of the electoral umpire of Nigeria have been put to the strictest criticism following the revelation of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC UK Chairman Tunde Doherty in company of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Joash Amupitan at Chatham House, London.
Recall that the INEC boss was at Chatham House London on Thursday 12th November 2026, and participated in a high-level dialogue on Nigeria’s 2027 elections and regional stability, where he spoke on court judgments and artificial intelligence safeguards amongst others.
After the meeting, some Nigerians living in diaspora were seen in viral videos requesting the INEC Chairman to speak to them on the preparedness and neutrality of INEC ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections. The videos revealed that the INEC boss declined their request which sparked chaos in the scene and the protesters carrying placards and banners prevented the INEC boss” vehicle from moving. It was in the same scene that a member of Amupitan’s retinues was spotted wearing an APC branded cap indicating political partisanship.
A critical examination of Amupitan’s business at Chatham House does not suggest a convention of Nigeria’s political parties but a world press briefing on the readiness , preparedness and independence of the commission to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable elections for Nigeria.
But here was a case of a blatant brandishing of a branded face cap with APC insignia by an identified person admissibly an interested member of the ruling APC who appeared to be a member of the INEC Chairman’s retinues.
Fact check and media reports clarified that the individual in the circulating video and photographs wearing the APC-branded cap is actually Hon. Tunde Doherty, the Chairman of the APC UK chapter.
By this startling revelation, the INEC delegation led by the Commission’s leadership is facing public scrutiny, media protests and calls for Amupitan’s resignation, sparking viral social media rumors and political debates regarding the neutrality and true ombudsmanship of the electoral umpire ahead of upcoming general elections.
