Social media activist VeryDarkMan has criticised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, over his meeting with the United Kingdom chapter chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Doherty, during an official visit abroad.
The activist’s comments followed public criticism of Amupitan after reports circulated alleging that the electoral chief wore an APC-branded cap during his visit to the UK.
However, VeryDarkMan said he had watched the viral footage and found no evidence that the INEC chairman wore the party-branded cap.
According to him, it was Doherty, the APC UK chapter chairman, who appeared in the video wearing the branded headwear.
“I watched the video carefully and I didn’t see where the INEC chairman was wearing APC cap,” he said.
Despite dismissing the allegation concerning the cap, the activist questioned the decision of the INEC chairman to meet with a chieftain of the ruling party while on official duty.
He argued that such an engagement could raise concerns about the perceived neutrality and independence of the electoral commission, particularly given INEC’s responsibility for conducting elections in Nigeria.
VeryDarkMan maintained that the controversy should not be limited to whether Amupitan wore an APC-branded cap, but should also consider whether his public engagements could affect citizens’ confidence in the electoral body.
The controversy has renewed discussions about the importance of political neutrality, transparency and public confidence in INEC, especially as Nigerians expect the commission to demonstrate impartiality in the discharge of its electoral responsibilities.
