SNOW TV NEWS DESK
A UK-based Nigerian lawyer, Dayo Babalola, has alleged that some Nigerians who protested against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, in London were paid to stage the demonstration.
Babalola made the allegation in a statement on Friday, following reports that Amupitan faced protests during his visit to Chatham House in London on Thursday.
The lawyer, who claimed to have attended the event, disputed accounts suggesting that the INEC chairman was embarrassed or disrupted during his engagement, insisting that the demonstration took place after the official program had ended.
According to him, no more than 15 people participated in the protest. He also claimed that some demonstrators wore clothing and displayed items bearing the image of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Babalola further alleged that he later encountered some of the protesters on Jermyn Street, where he claimed they were receiving money from a man dressed in NDC-branded clothing.
He said the protesters became hostile when they noticed him, prompting him to make a sarcastic remark about their alleged financial reward.
However, Babalola did not provide publicly verifiable evidence to establish that the demonstrators had been paid or that the alleged payment was connected to any political organization.
The lawyer also rejected suggestions that the protest undermined Amupitan’s appearance at Chatham House, explaining that the INEC chairman successfully delivered his presentation, answered questions, and participated in the panel discussion.
He disclosed that approximately 200 people attended the event physically, while another 374 participated virtually.
“What happened outside the venue afterwards should not be deliberately conflated with the quality, substance, or outcome of the official engagement,” he stated.
Babalola acknowledged that Nigerians have the democratic right to protest and express dissatisfaction with public officials. However, he warned against using isolated demonstrations to create what he described as misleading political narratives.
The controversy comes at a sensitive period for INEC, as preparations and public discussions surrounding the 2027 general elections continue to intensify.
Amupitan’s leadership is likely to attract considerable scrutiny, particularly from opposition parties and civil society groups concerned about the commission’s independence, credibility, and ability to conduct transparent elections.
Beyond the disagreement over what happened in London, the incident raises an important question about public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral institutions: how can INEC convince sceptical citizens that it will remain impartial when even its chairman’s international engagements attract political controversy?
While Babalola’s allegations have generated debate, they remain claims that require independent verification. Equally, the right to protest should not automatically be dismissed simply because demonstrators oppose a public official.
Ultimately, INEC’s credibility will depend less on political arguments surrounding its chairman and more on the transparency, independence, and fairness demonstrated by the commission in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
“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
