In a yet-to-be-released interview with News Central TV, Peter Obi, a frontline presidential aspirant of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has made serious allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan. The former governor of Anambra State claimed that Amupitan is merely executing a script authored by President Bola Tinubu.
According to excerpts from the interview, Obi disclosed that he recently wrote to the INEC Chairman, cautioning him that his tenure is temporary. The NDC aspirant expressed disbelief that elections could be conducted by academics and still result in such poor outcomes. “If anyone had told me that using professors to run our elections would make things worse, I would have strongly disagreed,” Obi stated.
When asked directly whether INEC acts as an agent of the president, Obi responded affirmatively. “Yes, completely. Everything the INEC Chairman is doing today reflects the directives of the person who appointed him,” he emphasized. Obi reiterated that his letter reminded Amupitan of the impermanence of his position, implying that accountability would eventually catch up with him.
The interview is expected to air in full soon, potentially stirring further debate about the independence of Nigeria’s electoral body ahead of future elections.