The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) wants the INEC Chairman to resign. The group is led by the well-known economist, Pat Utomi.
They say Chairman Joash Ojo Amupitan is too close to the ruling party. This call comes during a statement released in Abuja recently.
Pat Utomi is a professor of political economy. He has often spoken out about governance in Nigeria. Now, he leads this coalition for the 2027 polls.
The 2027 general elections will be the next time Nigerians vote for a president. This makes the neutrality of the umpire very important.
The MCE said Joash Ojo Amupitan had “lost the credibility required to conduct the 2027 elections.” They are worried about a crisis of confidence.
“The hands presiding over INEC are, at best, under grave distrust and, at worst, compromised,” the coalition stated in their document.
Consequently, they believe the current situation cannot continue. “At this crucial period in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, such a burden of suspicion is untenable.”
Allegations of Partisan Digital Footprints
The MCE anchored its concerns on alleged digital footprints. These links allegedly connect the INEC chairman to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amupitan has denied these claims before. However, the group argued that “in this digital age, denial is not a defence—it is an invitation to forensic scrutiny.”
Media Coordinator Comrade James Ezema signed the statement. He says the public domain has many trails connecting the chairman to partisan markers.
Furthermore, the MCE mentioned digital and financial systems. These include the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the National Identification Number (NIN).
These tools help track the identity of people behind digital accounts. The group believes these systems can prove the alleged links to the party.
“The public domain is already saturated with analytical trails allegedly connecting the disputed account to identifiable personal and financial markers,” they said.
They warned that the matter could lead to a legal crisis. They mentioned that false statements under oath could result in charges of perjury.
“Any escalation of this matter into sworn testimony raises the spectre of legal crisis bordering on perjury,” the group explained.
Concerns Over a One-Party State System
Beyond the immediate claims, the coalition accused INEC of bias. They say the commission is acting against opposition parties in Nigeria.
They pointed to “administrative inconsistencies” as a major problem. They also mentioned the “selective enforcement of electoral regulations.”
The group fears these actions will lead to a de facto one-party state. This means one party would have all the power without real competition.
“The aggregation of these concerns lends credence to a disturbing hypothesis: that Nigeria is being subtly but systematically steered toward a de facto one-party state.”
Furthermore, the coalition mentioned regional bodies. These include the ECOWAS Court of Justice. This court handles legal disputes in West Africa.
If the matter goes to court, it could lead to “international embarrassment.” The MCE wants the chairman to step aside for an independent probe.
“The only honourable path… is to step aside and submit to the cleansing light of transparent investigation,” the statement said.
They want the Federal Government to set up an impartial panel. This panel should include digital forensic and civil society experts.
“Nigeria stands at a democratic crossroads. The integrity of its electoral management body cannot be compromised without grave consequences.”
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