KALU REJECTS MOTION TO SUMMON INEC CHAIRMAN, SAYS BRIEFING SUFFICIENT

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has opposed a proposal to invite INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to brief the full House on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary, Kalu said the electoral commission’s regular public briefings were sufficient to address concerns at this stage.

The motion was moved by Minority Whip Mansur Soro and Deputy Minority Leader Abdulsamad Dasuki.

Kalu argued that requiring Amupitan to appear before the entire House could distract the commission from its work. He said lawmakers with further questions should raise them through the relevant standing committee, which has responsibility for engaging with INEC.

The deputy speaker also warned that a plenary appearance at this point could create unnecessary anxiety and weaken public confidence in the electoral process.

He maintained that INEC had been complying with the Electoral Act and responding to concerns through its public engagements.

Kalu urged the House to support the commission’s preparations rather than pursue what he considered an untimely inquiry.

The supplied report did not state the House’s final decision on the motion.