“Not Diaspora Voice, Just 10 Paid Protesters” – UK-Based Lawyer Counters Report of INEC Chairman’s Harassment in London

A Nigerian lawyer based in the United Kingdom, Otunba Dayo Babalola, has faulted reports that Nigerians in the Diaspora protested against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, in London over an alleged doctored voter register.

Babalola, who said he was physically present at the Chatham House event on Thursday, described the narrative circulating on social media as a gross misrepresentation of what actually transpired.

He said those involved were not a representation of Nigerians in the diaspora, but a small group of about 10 to 15 individuals, some of whom were openly displaying Peter Obi and NDC-related memorabilia.

“Diaspora Nigerians? Nothing could be further from the truth,” Babalola said.

“I was physically present at Chatham House yesterday, and I can state categorically that the narrative being circulated on social media is a gross misrepresentation of what actually transpired. Those involved in the incident were not a representation of Nigerians in the diaspora, nor were they a reflection of the audience that attended the event.”

—Background—

Prof. Amupitan was invited as a panelist at the Chatham House event titled “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot,” where he spoke on Nigeria’s democratic future, the electoral process and INEC’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

The reports that triggered Babalola’s response had claimed that Nigerians protesting alleged irregularities in the voters’ register blocked Amupitan’s vehicle outside Chatham House and demanded his resignation, accusing INEC of compromising its independence and favouring President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.

The protest claim followed INEC’s recent admission that it removed 1,608,660 invalid registrations after a review of the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration, plus 873 records of deceased persons, bringing total deleted records to 1,609,553, with 54 persons across 10 states identified for alleged registration infractions.

—What Really Happened—

According to Babalola, Amupitan made an impressive and insightful contribution at the event and acquitted himself creditably while answering questions from participants.

He said the incident being sensationalised happened after the formal engagement, when the INEC Chairman was leaving the premises, as the small group gathered outside, blocked his vehicle and demanded he address them.

“I was physically present throughout the incident and witnessed the recording of several videos that are now being circulated. Some of those involved were wearing Peter Obi-branded memorabilia. The situation eventually attracted the attention of Chatham House security, and when the police were called, the individuals dispersed,” he said.

Babalola further alleged that after leaving the premises, he saw members of the same group on Jermyn Street being paid for their services by a man wearing NDC memorabilia.

“When they saw me they threw a few insults at me and I smiled and simply said at least you guys have now made some small pounds to pay your bills for a few days even as I walked past them,” he added.

He stressed that the Chatham House event was not poorly attended, disclosing that the Joseph Gaggero Hall was filled with close to 200 people, mostly Nigerians who registered properly, while the protesters remained outside and did not participate in the programme.

“I was actually visible in the circulating video between approximately 2:22 and 2:45, standing by the main entrance of Chatham House, dressed in a suit and holding my muffler. I mention this simply to establish that my account is not based on hearsay,” Babalola said.

—“Amupitan Was Not Disgraced”—

Babalola insisted that Prof. Amupitan was not disgraced at Chatham House, was not interrupted during the programme, and fully discharged his role as panelist.

“What happened outside the venue afterwards should not be deliberately conflated with the quality, substance or outcome of the official engagement,” he said.

“People are entitled to their political opinions. They are equally entitled to peaceful protest and to demand accountability from public office holders. However, political disagreement must not become an excuse for misinformation, sensationalism or the deliberate distortion of events. A handful of individuals cannot legitimately be presented as the voice of the entire Nigerian diaspora.”

He said he was speaking up to correct the record, not to defend any political party.

“I find it particularly disappointing that some social media commentators have chosen to amplify a misleading caption without establishing the facts or understanding the context of the incident. There is a clear distinction between a legitimate protest and an attempt to manufacture a narrative for political propaganda,” Babalola said.

“Let the facts speak for themselves: Professor Amupitan attended Chatham House, made his presentation, answered questions and participated in the panel discussion. A small group subsequently staged a demonstration outside the venue. Those two events should not be misrepresented as one, nor should the actions of a handful of individuals be attributed to Nigerians in the diaspora.”