By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
A democratic pressure group, Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN), has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to come clean regarding allegations of a land bribe involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
The pressure group made the call in a statement on Wednesday by its Media Coordinator, Aisha Bello in Abuja.
OWN alleged that the bribe is reportedly intended to ensure that the Commission does not recognize the Turaki-led, duly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The group, in the statement said “We call on Prof. Amupitan to address allegations that he secretly visited the FCT Minister under the cover of night in December 2025.
“It is alleged that during this meeting, he received directives to frustrate the Turaki-led NWC and was subsequently allocated a prime plot of land in the sprawling Asokoro District of Abuja, with a promise that the property would be developed for him.
“Prof. Amupitan must also clarify allegations that this property (the alleged bribe) is part of a “well-oiled deal” driving scandalous efforts by INEC, under his watch, to instigate a crisis within the PDP.
“These efforts involve attempting to recognize and foist a Wike-backed renegade group on the party, in clear violation of the PDP Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“This alleged deal is reported to be the motive behind the INEC Chairman convening a controversial meeting of “PDP Stakeholders,” where he attempted to grant legitimacy to the Wike-backed group over the Turaki-led NWC elected at the party’s National Convention in Ibadan.
“OWN Nigeria challenges the INEC Chairman to respond to the allegation that this inducement is the catalyst for the Commission’s scandalous actions against the PDP—specifically, the attempt to force non-members (who have been expelled by the party) to operate as a “National Caretaker Working Committee,” an organ that does not exist within the PDP Constitution.
“This action by INEC under Amupitan is clearly aimed at furthering the plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to impose a one-party state in our country by exacerbating internal divisions within the PDP and weakening Nigeria’s main opposition party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
“It is instructive to note that these allegations align with a disturbing pattern of reported land revocations and reallocations used as political inducements or punishments in the FCT under Chief Wike.
“OWN Nigeria asserts that such inducements are aimed at securing INEC’s bias in favor of specific political interests, compromising the Commission’s constitutional neutrality, and systematically weakening opposition forces.
“This land bribe allegation, if true, places a significant blight on the INEC Chairman and the integrity of the Commission itself, requiring a serious investigation and stringent sanctions in the event of culpability”, the group said.
Consequently, OWN Nigeria demands the following:
*An Independent Open Investigation: A transparent inquiry into these allegations.
*Asset Disclosure: Immediate public disclosure of Prof. Amupitan’s Asset Declaration since his appointment.
*Immediate Resignation: The resignation of Prof. Amupitan as INEC Chairman to safeguard what remains of public confidence in the Commission’s impartiality.
As a platform committed to defending democratic principles, transparency, and the Rule of Law in Nigeria, OWN Nigeria maintained that democracy cannot survive if the electoral referee is compromised by inducements.
“The sanctity of the ballot depends entirely on the integrity of the person holding the whistle”, it said.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
