Nigerian protesters have confronted the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, outside Chatham House in London, demanding answers over alleged irregularities in the country’s voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The incident occurred on Thursday, November 12, as the INEC chairman departed the London-based international policy institution after participating in a discussion on Nigeria’s electoral preparations and democratic future.

Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators surrounding a black vehicle conveying Amupitan, holding placards and shouting at the electoral commission chief.

Some of the protesters demanded that he come out of the vehicle and address their concerns, while others called for his resignation.

One of the demonstrators was heard shouting, “Why are you running? Come out and talk to us,” as the protesters continued to demand explanations from the INEC chairman.

The demonstrators reportedly accused INEC of failing to adequately address concerns surrounding the credibility of the preliminary voters’ register.

Their complaints included allegations of duplicate voter registrations, suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, questionable voter details and irregularities involving polling units.

Some protesters also accused the electoral commission of favouring President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), although these accusations have not been independently established.

Concerns Over 2027 Elections

The confrontation comes amid growing public scrutiny of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The credibility of the voters’ register has become a major issue following complaints about suspicious photographs and other questionable entries in the preliminary register.

INEC had previously acknowledged irregularities in the registration process and disclosed that it had taken steps to address identified problems.

The commission also announced the removal of more than 1.6 million invalid voter registrations from its database, alongside 873 records belonging to verified deceased voters.

The development has intensified calls from some Nigerians for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the electoral process.

Amupitan Speaks on Electoral Credibility

Before the confrontation, Amupitan participated in a panel discussion at Chatham House titled “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot.”

During the engagement, the INEC chairman acknowledged that the controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections had created a significant trust deficit for the electoral commission.

He admitted that the commission had not completely recovered from the damage to public confidence following the disputed election.

However, he maintained that INEC was introducing measures to improve the electoral process and ensure more credible elections in 2027.

Amupitan also discussed the commission’s efforts to address technical challenges associated with election result transmission and voter accreditation.

He announced plans for a nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise scheduled for November 28 to test the commission’s preparedness ahead of the next general elections.

Pressure Mounts on INEC

The London confrontation highlights the growing demand for electoral accountability among Nigerians, particularly as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.

For many citizens, the accuracy of the voters’ register, transparency in result transmission and the independence of the electoral commission remain important issues that will determine public confidence in the next election.

Although the allegations raised by the protesters do not establish wrongdoing by the INEC chairman, they reflect the level of public concern surrounding Nigeria’s electoral system.

With the 2027 elections approaching, INEC faces the challenge of convincing Nigerians that it can conduct an election that is transparent, credible and acceptable to the electorate.

The commission’s ability to address public concerns and demonstrate impartiality will remain under close scrutiny in the months ahead.

Utelnova will continue to follow developments surrounding INEC and preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.