2027 Elections: Kalu Opposes Summoning INEC Chairman, House Refers Motion to Committee

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.

Kalu argued that INEC’s periodic public briefings were sufficient to address concerns about the electoral process, adding that further questions should be handled by the relevant standing committee of the House.

He made the position known during Wednesday’s plenary while lawmakers debated a motion seeking to invite the INEC chairman to explain the commission’s readiness for the elections.

The motion was moved by the Minority Whip, Mansur Soro, and the Deputy Minority Leader, Abdulsamad Dasuki, who sought greater engagement with the electoral body over its preparations.

Opposing the proposal, Kalu said bringing the INEC chairman before the entire House shortly after his public briefing could distract the commission at a critical stage of preparations. He also warned that the move could create unnecessary panic and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Kalu maintained that the House Committee on Electoral Matters had the responsibility to engage with INEC and address outstanding concerns. He urged lawmakers to use the existing committee structure rather than summon the commission’s chairman to a plenary session.

“Inviting the Chairman of INEC to come and brief the House when he just briefed the entire nation is not ideal,” Kalu said, arguing that lawmakers should have confidence in the committees assigned to oversee the commission’s activities.

He also said INEC had begun its preparations on time and had not raised concerns about logistics, while urging the National Assembly to support the electoral body’s work.

Kalu’s proposed amendment, which redirected the request for further engagement to the relevant House committee, was seconded by Babajimi Benson, a member representing Lagos State.

Following a voice vote presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, lawmakers approved the amendment and referred the motion to the House Committee on Electoral Matters.

The committee is expected to handle the matter under the arrangement approved by the House.