Social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has criticised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, over his meeting with the United Kingdom chapter chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Doherty, during an official visit abroad.

The activist’s comments followed public criticism of Amupitan after reports emerged that the INEC chairman had worn an APC-branded cap during his visit to the UK.

However, VeryDarkMan dismissed the allegation, saying he carefully watched the viral video but did not see Amupitan wearing the party-branded cap. He clarified that it was Doherty who wore the cap in the footage.

“I watched the video carefully and I didn’t see where the INEC chairman was wearing APC cap,” he said.

Despite clearing Amupitan of the allegation concerning the cap, the activist questioned why the head of Nigeria’s electoral commission would meet with a prominent ruling party figure while on official assignment.

He argued that such interactions could create unnecessary doubts about the commission’s political neutrality and raise questions about the independence of an institution responsible for conducting credible elections.

VeryDarkMan maintained that the controversy should not be restricted to the issue of the APC-branded cap, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the meeting itself deserved public scrutiny.

His comments have added to the debate over the conduct of the INEC chairman and the need for public officials entrusted with managing elections to avoid situations that could undermine confidence in the electoral body.