Scores of youths in Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Tuesday staged a protest over what they described as a coordinated political attempt to undermine the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The demonstrators, made up of various youth and civil society groups, marched through major parts of the community, expressing solidarity with INEC and its chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Enemies of Fairness, Beware!” and “Fair Elections Start with Amupitan,” the protesters dismissed allegations against the chairman as a calculated effort to discredit both his reputation and the electoral system.
The protest, which featured a convoy of motorcycles and a large turnout of participants on foot, attracted widespread attention as chants calling for the protection of democratic institutions echoed across the town.
Speaking during the demonstration, a youth leader identified as Segun warned against attempts to destabilise the electoral body.
“We are here to send a clear message: the sanctity of INEC must be protected. Prof. Amupitan is a man of integrity and a proud son of this land. Any attempt to unjustly tarnish his image is a direct attack on democracy,” he said.
The protest comes amid growing national debate over the chairman’s appointment, with some stakeholders questioning his neutrality. However, the Kogi youths described such claims as “sponsored propaganda,” insisting that Amupitan’s legal background and track record make him well suited to strengthen electoral transparency.
Meanwhile, INEC has rejected calls for the removal of its chairman, describing them as unconstitutional and a threat to its independence.
In a statement issued by its Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the commission stressed that its leadership structure is guided by constitutional provisions, particularly Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
INEC reiterated its commitment to the rule of law, noting that its decisions, including compliance with court rulings and oversight of political party activities, are aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic system.
The commission also dismissed allegations of bias, highlighting its recognition of multiple political parties and its dedication to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
On the proposed voter revalidation exercise, INEC described it as a routine process intended to sanitise the voter register and improve the integrity of electoral data.
The protest comes as political attention intensifies ahead of upcoming off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states, with stakeholders closely monitoring developments within the electoral body.
