“Shocking Response: INEC Upholds Amupitan’s Position While Addressing ADC Leadership Concerns”
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has responded to the appeal made by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to step down immediately.
At their World Press Conference in Abuja on Thursday, ADC, represented by its national Chairman, David Mark, urged for the dismissal or resignation of Amupitan, alleging political partiality.
This demand was linked to the Commission’s action of removing the names of the party’s leaders from its portal, which it termed as compliance with a recent Court of Appeal ruling.
The Commission stated it acknowledges the right of stakeholders to voice their opinions, but emphasized the necessity to clarify that INEC is constituted by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A communiqué signed by Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, highlighted that the appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The Chairman does not occupy the position at the behest of any political party or interest group. Any demand for removal outside the established constitutional procedure is not merely a distraction but a direct affront to the independence of the nation’s electoral authority,” it stated.
“While a political party or a group has the right to safeguard their interests, the Commission chose to adhere to the Judgment of the Court of Appeal to prevent a scenario similar to that which transpired in Zamfara State and Plateau State, where elected officials were ousted by the Election Tribunal due to noncompliance with a Court ruling.
“Furthermore, the Commission aimed to respect the preventive order of the court which prohibited any actions that would render the procedures already filed at the Federal High Court ineffective.
“Proceeding to oversee the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would equate to violating that order, as the relief sought in the Originating Summons and other court filings includes a request restraining INEC from observing any gathering, congress, and convention of the party.
“Moreover, it was only on the 9th of September 2025 that INEC acknowledged and sanctioned David Mark’s Exco, which occurred seven days after the issue was lodged at the Federal High Court.
“The directive to uphold the status quo ante bellum refers to the situation of the parties before the onset of hostilities. INEC must either fully comply with the Court of Appeal’s order or disregard it. Section 287(2) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 mandates every person and authority in Nigeria to not only comply with the Court of Appeal’s rulings but also to enforce such rulings.
“Far from undermining the multi-party system, the Commission under Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has significantly broadened the democratic space. The recent acknowledgment and registration of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the National Democratic Party (NDP), raising the total number of active political parties to 22, serves as a concrete counterargument to any assertions of a one-party agenda. INEC continues to function as an impartial regulator, not as a participant in political rivalries.
“The Commission’s updates to party leadership records are firmly rooted in compliance with existing court orders and statutory mandates under the Electoral Act 2026.
“INEC will not engage in the internal disputes of political parties, nor will it permit itself to be utilized as a pawn in resolving organizational issues that belong to the parties, especially when the Court of Appeal has mandated that the matter be expedited.”
The Commission also remarked that it has observed an effort to politicize the upcoming nationwide Voter Revalidation initiative.
“The choice to revalidate the Voters Register predates the appointment of Professor Amupitan. The planned nationwide voter revalidation effort is a professional imperative to enhance the integrity of the National Register of Voters. The current register comprises data from 2011 to 2024. This initiative aims to cleanse the register and will be implemented in stages,” it added.
“The revalidation aims to verify the status of registered voters, address complications arising from transfers, duplicate registrations, and deceased individuals, and improve the reliability of voter data in Nigeria. It serves as an administrative audit, not a new registration.
“It is not directed at any particular region, party, or demographic. It is a consistent, transparent process that will be enforced across all Local Government Areas and Polling Units, with strong digital options for accessibility. All stakeholders will be kept informed on this matter.
“The Commission is presently concentrated on the meticulous precision required for the forthcoming Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026) off-cycle elections. We will not be sidetracked by baseless accusations of collusion or bias. Our commitment remains solely to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian populace.
“The Commission recognizes that some decisions may be difficult and may not always correspond with individual party interests. Nevertheless, the Commission is committed to nurturing an electoral atmosphere where transparency and fairness thrive.
“The decisions made by INEC are rooted in thorough assessments and are aligned with the legal framework that governs our operations, including adherence to the Rule of Law. They are intended to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, which ultimately benefit all stakeholders within our democracy, rather than specific political entities.”
