Our Office Has No Link With Renewed Hope Agenda Says INEC

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has  debunked claims that its office is hosting the Renewed Hope Agenda signage, banners and other materials.

However, the electoral umpire admitted the Rivers state Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, shares the same perimeter fence with the building hosting the Renewed Hope Agenda Movement in Port Harcourt.

The source reports that the social media space has been awash in the last couple of days with reports that a  significant number of materials linked to the Movement dedicated to promotion of the policies and political interests of President Bola  Tinubu were spotted at some strategic points at the INEC’s Rivers state Headquarters, a development which some people have perceived as part of the alleged dalliance between the electoral body and the, All Progressive Congress, APC-led Federal Government.

Instructively, the development came amidst widespread allegations of partisanship and bias against Professor Joash Amupitan, the electoral umpire’s Chairman, stemming from his past pro-Tinubu online tweets.

It  is also coming  at a time when the opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC,  clamouring for the resignation of Amupitan over his alleged partisan interpretation of a Court of Appeal verdict on the leadership tussle within the party, leading to the shocking withdrawal of recognition for the Senator David Mark-led faction of opposition Coalition.

In a statement on Friday, April 17, 2026, from its Rivers State Administrative Secretary, Dr Angela Ebhodaghe, INEC described the reports of the massive presence of the Renewed Hope Agenda signage and materials in its office as false and misleading.

The electoral body expressed regret that people are confusing the INEC with the RSIEC that is sharing fence with the Movement’s office in the state.

“Our attention has been drawn to a report circulating on the social media alleging that the picture of a building hosting the signpost ,and banner of the Renewed Hope Agenda Movement is INEC Rivers State’s office.

“This is both false and misleading ,and the Commission categorically rejects these claims.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the said building does not belong to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Rivers State, nor does our office have such signage on any part of its premises.

“It is clear the generators of the false information confused the Rivers state Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, which shares a fence with the said building with our office.

“The spread of false information is harmful to national unity and public trust. We, therefore, urge members of the public to verify claims through credible and official channels before sharing or publishing”, INEC stated.