- Safiu Kehinde
Nigerian socio-political accountability group, Tracka, has raised concerns over the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Tracka’s concern, contained in a statement issued on its official X handle on Monday, is coming amid the ongoing controversies surrounding the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
NPO Reported the discovery on X account allegedly registered with Amupitan’s email address and formerly had his name as the account’s username until Saturday when it was reportedly changed.
The account was claimed to contain old posts of the INEC’s Chairman promoting the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) congress campaigns.
This had reignited calls for his removal over alleged partisanship which contradicts his role as election umpire.
While INEC had since refuted the claims, Tracka held that the questions and concerns over the commission’s credibility goes beyond Amupitan’s X account’s scandal.
The group warned that the concerns put the credibility of the forthcoming 2027 General Election at risk if proactive measure is not taken to regain the electorates’ trust.
“INEC’s transparency and neutrality must define our electoral processes.
“The commission is facing a deepening trust crisis, and it goes far beyond a single incident. When citizens begin to doubt the independence of the referee, the credibility of the entire electoral process is at risk.” The statement partly read.
Track demanded that the commission embrace transparency, accountability, and neutrality whihc inspire confidence and not suspicion.
“At the heart of this is a simple demand: transparency, accountability, and neutrality.
“Nigerians deserve an electoral body that inspires confidence, not suspicion. Democracy can only thrive when institutions are trusted and seen to be fair.” The statement added.