The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, over what it described as excessive foreign travels. The rights group expressed concern that the electoral body is prioritizing international engagements at a time when it should be concentrating on restoring public confidence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Professor Amupitan recently led a delegation to the inaugural ceremony of the International Election Observation Programme (IEOP) for the Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections, held in the Republic of Korea from May 29 to June 5, 2026. The IEOP, organized by the South Korean National Election Commission, was officially launched on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Seoul. The event brought together election management bodies, election specialists, and international observers from around the world to witness and share knowledge about the conduct of local government elections in South Korea.
Accompanying the INEC Chairman were National Commissioner Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman Professor Dimis Mai-Lafia, and the Director of Training Dr. Binta Kasim Mohammed. The INEC team observed early voting at a polling centre in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, gaining firsthand knowledge of South Korea’s electoral processes and procedures. The involvement of the INEC delegation is anticipated to enhance the Commission’s understanding of emerging trends and global best practices in election administration, international observation, and electoral governance, aligning with the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
However, HURIWA accused the INEC chairman of prioritizing international engagements over addressing growing concerns about voter apathy, electoral credibility, and public trust in the commission. In a statement issued yesterday and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA expressed disappointment that barely weeks after an official trip to India, Amupitan had led another INEC delegation to South Korea to participate in the IEOP.
The group argued that the commission’s leadership should be focusing more on domestic engagement and electoral reforms rather than attending what it termed foreign “seminars and talkshops.” The organization claimed that confidence in the electoral body had continued to decline, warning that voter apathy could worsen if urgent steps were not taken to address concerns about the integrity of future elections. According to HURIWA, many Nigerians remain sceptical about the commission’s capacity to conduct free, fair, transparent, and acceptable elections.
HURIWA dismissed the trip as unnecessary and wasteful, insisting that the commission should devote greater attention to restoring public trust in the electoral process. The group warned that unless INEC addressed concerns over voter confidence and electoral integrity, the 2027 General Election could witness one of the highest levels of voter apathy in Nigeria’s history.
