INEC has defended Chairman Amupitan and rejected ADC call for resignation over leadership dispute.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected calls by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, to resign, insisting that the electoral body acted within the law and in compliance with court orders.
The ADC had earlier demanded the removal or resignation of the INEC chairman during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, accusing the commission of partisan bias. The call was made by the party’s national chairman, David Mark, following INEC’s decision to remove the names of certain party leaders from its official portal.
Responding to the allegation, INEC said the decision was based on compliance with a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal Nigeria and existing legal directives.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission acknowledged that stakeholders have the right to express their views but stressed that the electoral body operates strictly within constitutional provisions.
According to the statement, the appointment, tenure, and removal of the INEC chairman and national commissioners are governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the constitutional process is a distraction and an assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” the commission said.
INEC explained that it complied with the Court of Appeal ruling to avoid situations similar to previous electoral disputes in Zamfara State and Plateau State, where elected officials were removed due to disobedience of court orders.
The commission also noted that proceeding to monitor congresses and conventions organised by the David Mark-led ADC faction could violate a preservative court order restraining it from taking steps that might undermine ongoing legal processes at the Federal High Court Nigeria.
INEC added that it had only approved the ADC executive committee led by David Mark on September 9, 2025, seven days after the case had already been filed in court.
The commission further explained that the legal principle of status quo ante bellum required all parties to maintain their positions before the dispute began, making compliance with the Court of Appeal’s directive mandatory under Section 287(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.
INEC also dismissed allegations that it was undermining Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, noting that the commission has continued to expand the democratic space under Amupitan’s leadership.
According to the statement, the recent registration and recognition of political parties such as the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and National Democratic Party (NDP) has increased the number of active political parties in the country to 22.
INEC also addressed concerns about the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, stating that the initiative predates Amupitan’s appointment and is aimed at strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s voter register.
The commission explained that the exercise would review voter data collected between 2011 and 2024, addressing issues such as multiple registrations, transfers, and deceased voters in the system.
INEC stressed that the revalidation process is an administrative audit rather than a new voter registration exercise, and will be conducted across all local government areas and polling units nationwide, including digital options for voter participation.
The commission also noted that it remains focused on preparations for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State scheduled for June 2026 and Osun State slated for August 2026.
INEC reiterated that its decisions are guided strictly by the law and aimed at ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.
