The Pan-Igbo Youth Assembly (PIYA) has petitioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, urging him to investigate the conduct of some national commissioners accused of working against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the Southeast.

The group warned that it would resist any attempt by electoral officials to compromise the neutrality of the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In the petition, PIYA specifically accused INEC National Commissioner, Dr Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu, of allegedly maintaining partisan relationships with some politicians.

Ukeagu, who supervises Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states, was accused by the group of engaging in conduct it said raised questions about his impartiality as an electoral umpire.

PIYA called for his immediate removal, insisting that the commission must demonstrate neutrality and fairness in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.

The group’s coordinator, Comrade Noble Nkem Regius, who signed the petition, said Ukeagu’s alleged closeness to opposition politicians, particularly those opposed to President Tinubu’s re-election, was becoming increasingly disturbing.

He said the development had created the impression that some political interests enjoyed privileged access to the electoral official, raising concerns about his ability to discharge his duties impartially.

“Across the Southeast, the controversy surrounding Mr Ukeagu has continued to generate concern, with politicians and political interests opposed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election reportedly invoking their association with the National Commissioner.

“This situation demands serious attention from INEC. An electoral umpire cannot afford to become a consultant or political reference point for competing partisan interests,” Regius said.

He stressed that while politicians had the democratic right to support or oppose any candidate, it was unacceptable for an electoral commissioner to be perceived as having relationships capable of giving particular political interests undue influence.

The organisation also faulted what it described as attempts by groups to defend Ukeagu instead of addressing the allegations against him. It said the emergence of groups campaigning in his defence had raised further questions about the interests they were seeking to protect.

PIYA called on the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to immediately remove Ukeagu from overseeing the three South-East states and institute an independent investigation into the allegations, including the purported leakage of confidential electoral information and alleged consultancy arrangements involving opposition politicians.

The group gave INEC seven days to act, warning that failure to meet its demand would trigger mass protests and the occupation of INEC offices across the Southeast states. It also threatened to mobilise Igbo communities and organisations across Nigeria and in the diaspora for demonstrations at the commission’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Regius said the proposed demonstrations would be lawful and peaceful, adding that the organisation would not allow the controversy to be swept under the carpet through bureaucratic delays or political intimidation.

The group further urged the Presidency, National Assembly, Council of State, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and religious leaders to prevail on INEC to address the allegations in the interest of public confidence in the 2027 elections.

Efforts to obtain Ukeagu’s response were unsuccessful, as his aides, who requested that questions be sent, had not responded as of the time of filing this report.

However, INEC’s Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogha, said the commission was not aware of the allegations.

He described the claims as unfounded and said they could not be substantiated. (The Nation)