Atiku’s Camp Says INEC Chairman Poses Threat to Democracy, Cites Alleged Partisanship and Data Breach

The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, of being a danger to democracy and a threat to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, alleged that the INEC chairman has shown signs of partisanship, pointing to recent controversies surrounding the leak of personal data of an aspirant from the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Emeka Ike.

Ibe recalled that in April, digital traces allegedly linked to Amupitan suggested that he may have operated a partisan social media account on X, which reportedly made political comments and celebrated victories of the ruling party. He noted that INEC quickly dismissed the allegations, relying on what it called an independent cybersecurity investigation.

According to Ibe, the commission’s clearance of its chairman was based on an internal review and a forensic probe by an unnamed cybersecurity expert. He argued that since INEC commissioned and paid for the investigation itself, the process lacked true impartiality. He also pointed out that the commission did not publicly disclose the identity of the firm or individuals who conducted the probe.

Ibe further linked the chairman’s actions to the removal of certain opposition party executives from the INEC portal, saying such moves have deepened concerns among opposition parties about Amupitan’s neutrality.

The Atiku aide also referenced a data leak controversy involving Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He alleged that Olayinka may have worked with unidentified INEC officials to illegally obtain data of an aspirant ahead of the NDC primaries, adding that Olayinka has been questioned by the police.

Casting doubt on the seriousness of that interrogation, Ibe suggested that the minister’s aide may not have been properly investigated, given the political ties involved. He warned that failure to thoroughly probe the alleged data breach could set the stage for large-scale electoral data compromises in the 2027 elections.

Ibe maintained that the combination of the data scandal and lingering questions over Amupitan’s neutrality could erode public trust in the electoral process. He described the INEC chairman as carrying significant baggage that could make him unfit to oversee the next general elections.