A civil society organisation, Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) led by Prof. Pat Utomi, Usman Bugaje, Femi Falana (SAN), Oby Ezekwesili among others, also called on Prof. Amupitan to step aside over what it described as a “crisis of credibility” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This is as the commission said a forensic investigation found no evidence linking its chairman to the X (Twitter) account, describing the posts as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at misleading the public. Pension scheme: Retired police officers take protest to Presidential Villa 3 remanded over alleged conspiracy, armed robbery In a statement on Monday signed by its Media Coordinator, Comrade James Ezema, the MCE said the current controversy surrounding alleged digital footprints linking the INEC chairman to partisan expressions had raised serious concerns about public trust in the electoral body.

“At this crucial period in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, it is evident that the hands presiding over INEC are, at best, under grave distrust and, at worst, compromised to elicit the credibility required for the conduct of the 2027 elections,” the group said. It demanded that Amupitan “immediately step aside from his position as Chairman of INEC to allow for a truly independent, transparent, and forensic investigation into the allegations,” urging the federal government to constitute an impartial panel comprising judicial, digital forensic and civil society experts. The group also called for an end to “all forms of intimidation, harassment, or threats against citizens raising legitimate concerns,” adding that INEC must recommit itself to neutrality through reforms that would restore public confidence.

According to the statement, “Nigeria stands at a democratic crossroads. The integrity of its electoral management body cannot be compromised without grave consequences for credible elections, national stability and legitimacy of governance.” It added that, “Professor Amupitan must recognise that this is no longer a personal matter of denial—it’s a national question of trust. The only honourable path, consistent with both legal prudence and moral responsibility, is to step aside and submit to the cleansing light of transparent investigation.” The group argued that recent developments had triggered “a legitimacy crisis of fundamental proportions,” noting that in the digital age, “denial is not a defence—it’s an invitation to forensic scrutiny.” The MCE further warned that the situation could escalate into legal complications, stressing that digital and financial systems such as BVN and NIN provide traceable ownership structures that could be subjected to judicial processes.

It also expressed concern over what it described as a broader pattern of actions by INEC allegedly undermining opposition participation, including “administrative inconsistencies, selective enforcement of electoral regulations, and operational conduct that cumulatively erode the level playing field required in a multi-party democracy.” “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 and one-man rule,” the group said. \ Similarly, some Nigerians in the diaspora on Monday staged a protest at the UK Parliament, calling for Amupitan’s removal over concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. The protesters, who gathered under the banner of Nigerian diaspora groups, said they were worried about the state of the country’s electoral system as the 2027 general elections approach, warning that the credibility of future polls could be undermined if urgent reforms are not taken.

During the demonstration, participants carried placards and chanted slogans demanding transparency and accountability in the conduct of elections, insisting that Nigerians at home and abroad deserve a system they can trust. One of the protesters said, “Nigeria’s democracy must be protected now to secure a better future,” arguing that asking the INEC chairman to step down was necessary to rebuild public confidence in the electoral body. He also urged other Nigerians to support ongoing calls for electoral reforms, describing the protest as part of a broader global effort by citizens to demand accountability and strengthen democratic institutions. The group w