Fesochukwu Jason
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has hit back at political actors calling for the removal of its Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, accusing them of undermining Nigeria’s electoral independence and attempting to politicize court judgments.
In a strongly-worded statement, INEC clarified that the Chairman’s tenure and removal are constitutionally protected under Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution. Any calls for his ouster, the Commission said, are “a direct assault on the independence of Nigeria’s electoral umpire”.
The Commission also rejected allegations of bias, stressing that its compliance with a recent Court of Appeal judgment regarding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership was intended to prevent electoral crises similar to those previously witnessed in Zamfara and Plateau states. INEC emphasized that it will not be drawn into intra-party conflicts or used as a proxy for political interests.
Addressing widespread misinformation, INEC confirmed that the nationwide voter revalidation exercise is an administrative audit aimed at cleaning up the voters’ register and ensuring accuracy—not a fresh registration or targeted political move. The process will cover all local government areas and polling units with digital accessibility for voters.
Highlighting its commitment to democracy, INEC noted the registration of new political parties—including the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and National Democratic Party (NDP)—bringing the total active parties to 22. The Commission called these actions proof that it actively protects a multi-party system, rather than favoring any single political agenda.
“The call for the resignation of Professor Amupitan is misplaced and politically motivated,” INEC said, reiterating that its focus remains on conducting free, fair, and credible elections, including the forthcoming Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026) off-cycle elections.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.