SOLIDARITY PROTEST ERUPTS IN KOGI IN SUPPORT OF INEC CHAIRMAN

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

Hundreds of youths in Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Monday staged a solidarity march in support of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN).

The demonstrators, made up of youth and civil society groups, moved through the community in a convoy of motorcycles while carrying placards and rejecting allegations against Amupitan, which they described as politically motivated and aimed at undermining the electoral body.

Some of the placards read: “Enemies of Fairness, Beware!” and “Fair Elections Start with Amupitan.”

Speaking during the protest, a youth leader identified as Segun said the gathering was meant to defend both Amupitan and the institution he leads.

He stressed that INEC must be protected, describing the chairman as a man of integrity whose reputation should not be tarnished by what he called baseless attacks against democracy.

The youths dismissed the allegations as sponsored propaganda, insisting that Amupitan’s legal background and experience position him to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.

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The protest comes amid ongoing national debate over his appointment and renewed calls from some quarters for his removal.

Meanwhile, INEC has rejected such calls, describing them as unconstitutional.

In a statement, the commission said its leadership structure is clearly defined under Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), warning that any attempt to remove its chairman outside due process would undermine its independence.

INEC also denied claims of bias, stating that it remains committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections while engaging all registered political parties.

It added that its planned voter revalidation exercise is a routine process aimed at improving the accuracy and integrity of the voter register.

The development comes as scrutiny of the electoral body increases ahead of upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.