Wahala for who no dey follow Nigerian politics o! The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally spoken up, shutting down calls from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for their Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to step down. This whole drama started when the ADC accused INEC of being biased and demanded Amupitan’s resignation.
Why ADC Wants Amupitan Out: The Gist
During a press conference in Abuja, the ADC, led by its national Chairman David Mark, didn’t mince words. They called for Amupitan’s sack or resignation, claiming he was partisan. Their main bone of contention? INEC’s decision to remove the names of ADC leaders from its portal. According to INEC, this move was simply obeying a recent Court of Appeal judgment.
INEC, through a statement signed by Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, made it clear that while they respect stakeholders’ opinions, they are a creation of the Nigerian Constitution. They emphasized that the appointment, tenure, and removal of their Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly guided by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
INEC’s Stance: No Party’s Puppet
In no uncertain terms, INEC stated, “The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.” This statement pretty much tells everyone that INEC is not about to be swayed by political pressure.
They further explained that their decision to comply with the Court of Appeal judgment was to avoid situations like what happened in Zamfara and Plateau States, where elected officials were removed due to disobedience of court judgments. They also highlighted a preservative court order that restrained them from taking any steps that would nullify ongoing court processes. Monitoring the David Mark-led ADC’s congress, they said, would have been a direct disobedience of that order.
It’s important to note that INEC only accepted David Mark’s Exco on September 9, 2025, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court. The commission is simply trying to maintain the ‘status quo ante bellum’ – the position of parties before the conflict began, as mandated by Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
Dispelling Bias Claims: INEC’s Track Record
INEC also used this opportunity to rubbish claims of being biased or having a one-party agenda. They pointed to the recent registration of new political parties like the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the National Democratic Party (NDP), bringing the total number of active parties to 22. This, they argue, is proof that they are expanding the democratic space, not shrinking it. “INEC remains a neutral regulator, not a participant in political competition,” the statement read.
The commission reiterated that all updates to party leadership records are based on court orders and legal requirements under the Electoral Act 2026. They made it clear that they won’t get involved in internal party squabbles, especially when the Court of Appeal has ordered an accelerated hearing on the matter.
Voter Revalidation Exercise: A Necessary Step
Beyond the ADC saga, INEC also addressed concerns about the planned nationwide Voter Revalidation exercise, which some are trying to politicize. They clarified that this exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters, which currently holds data from 2011 to 2024. The revalidation aims to clean up the register by confirming voter status, addressing transfers, multiple registrations, and deceased persons. It’s an administrative audit, not a fresh registration, and it’s not targeted at any specific region, party, or demographic.
With the Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026) off-cycle elections on the horizon, INEC is focused on ensuring a smooth process. They vowed not to be distracted by baseless allegations of collusion or bias, affirming their allegiance to the Constitution and the Nigerian people.
While some decisions might not sit well with individual parties, INEC is committed to fostering transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s electoral system. Their decisions, they say, are based on thorough evaluations and legal frameworks, all aimed at ensuring free, fair, and credible elections for the benefit of all Nigerians.
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