Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has opposed a proposal to invite the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to brief the full House on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
During Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers considered a motion seeking to have Amupitan appear before the House to address concerns about the commission’s readiness for the polls.
The motion was introduced by Minority Whip Mansur Soro and Deputy Minority Leader Abdulsamad Dasuki. Following debate, lawmakers backed Kalu’s proposed amendment to refer the matter to the House Committee on Electoral Matters.
Kalu Says Public Briefings Should Address Election Concerns
Kalu argued that INEC’s periodic public briefings were sufficient to address questions about its preparations, noting that the commission’s chairman had recently provided information to the public.
He said concerns raised in the motion appeared to have been addressed during that engagement and questioned whether the briefing had received adequate attention.
“We are very serious about public engagement, about the preparations. Mr Speaker, they have not complained about logistics. They have started on time,” Kalu said.
He maintained that inviting Amupitan to address the entire House so soon after his public briefing would be inappropriate, given the time remaining before the elections.
Deputy Speaker Warns Against Distracting Electoral Commission
Kalu said a full-House inquiry could distract the electoral commission from its preparations and potentially create unnecessary panic or weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
He maintained that the House should support INEC’s work while ensuring that any outstanding concerns were addressed through the appropriate parliamentary channels.
Kalu also said the commission had been complying with the Electoral Act and responding to public concerns through its engagements.
Kalu Calls for Committee-Level Engagement
The deputy speaker argued that the House committee responsible for electoral matters had the mandate to engage directly with INEC and examine issues relating to the commission’s readiness.
He questioned the need to summon the chairman before the full House when the relevant committee had already been assigned that responsibility.
“Don’t we believe in our committees again? They are charged with the responsibilities, and the chairmen of these committees are well educated and informed to carry out their responsibilities,” he said.
Kalu proposed amending the motion so that INEC would meet with the relevant committee rather than appear before the full House.
Lawmakers Approve Amendment Through Voice Vote
The proposed amendment was seconded by Babajimi Benson, a member representing Lagos State.
Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen subsequently conducted a voice vote, and lawmakers supported the amendment.
The motion was then referred to the House Committee on Electoral Matters for further engagement with the electoral commission on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
