Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has opposed a proposal to invite the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to address the full House during plenary on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Kalu argued that the proposed arrangement could distract the electoral body and undermine the responsibilities of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, which is mandated to engage with the commission on relevant issues.
He made his position known on Wednesday while lawmakers debated a motion sponsored by the Minority Whip, Mansur Soro, and Deputy Minority Leader, Abdulsamad Dasuki, seeking an assessment of INEC’s readiness for the forthcoming elections.
The motion raised concerns about voter registration, election logistics, deployment of technology, security, personnel training and funding, among other issues considered critical to the conduct of credible elections.
Opposing the proposal for a plenary appearance, Kalu maintained that INEC had recently briefed the public on its preparations and that further questions should be directed to the relevant committee rather than addressed before the entire chamber.
He questioned the need for another public briefing by the INEC chairman, arguing that such an invitation could create unnecessary anxiety and affect public confidence in the electoral process.
The deputy speaker subsequently proposed an amendment directing the committee to invite Amupitan to answer lawmakers’ questions and provide further details about the commission’s preparations.
His proposal received support from other lawmakers, including Babajimi Benson, who seconded the amendment.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, subsequently put the amendment to a voice vote, and lawmakers supported referring the matter to the Committee on Electoral Matters.
Abbas clarified that the House was not opposed to questioning the INEC chairman but maintained that the engagement should take place through the relevant committee. He also directed that the date of the meeting should be publicized to allow interested lawmakers to participate.
The committee is expected to examine INEC’s preparations and address concerns about voter participation, electoral logistics, technology, security and funding ahead of the 2027 polls.
The development comes amid growing calls for early scrutiny of the electoral commission’s readiness to organize elections that are free, fair, credible and inclusive.
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