SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Nigeria’s electoral body is facing renewed scrutiny after its chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, was confronted by angry demonstrators outside Chatham House in London on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Amupitan, who was in the United Kingdom to participate in a panel discussion organized by Chatham House and the Kimpact Development Initiative on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, was heckled as protesters surrounded the vehicle conveying him from the venue.
The demonstrators, largely Nigerian diaspora activists, reportedly shouted accusations at the INEC chairman, describing him as a “criminal” and “election rigger.” They also accused the commission of compromising its independence and demanded his resignation.
At the center of their anger were allegations of irregularities in INEC’s preliminary voter register, including duplicate entries, AI-generated images, and questionable polling units. Some protesters alleged that the commission was favoring President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), although these accusations have not been independently established.
The confrontation highlights the growing pressure on INEC to convince Nigerians that it can conduct a credible and transparent election in 2027. With public confidence in electoral institutions remaining a major issue, even allegations surrounding voter registration are capable of generating serious political tensions.
INEC, however, has acknowledged problems with its preliminary register. Before Amupitan’s London visit, the commission announced that it had removed 1.6 million invalid records, including entries containing manipulated AI-generated images. It also disclosed that 54 officials across 10 states had been flagged over issues identified during its verification exercise.
Speaking at the London event, Amupitan sought to reassure Nigerians about his commitment to electoral independence. He pledged not to accept any political or diplomatic appointment after completing his tenure as INEC chairman, saying the decision was necessary to demonstrate his impartiality.
He also disclosed that the commission was introducing additional technical safeguards to prevent inaccurate election results from being uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) during the 2027 elections.
While the protesters’ accusations remain allegations, the incident sends a clear message about the level of suspicion surrounding Nigeria’s electoral process.
For Amupitan, the challenge goes beyond defending INEC’s reputation at international engagements. His biggest test will be translating assurances into visible reforms that Nigerians can trust.
Ultimately, the credibility of the 2027 elections will not be determined by promises made at conferences but by the transparency, accountability, and fairness voters experience when they cast their ballots.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
