The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected calls by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the removal of its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, describing the demand as a distraction and an attack on the commission’s independence.
INEC said the demand followed its decision to comply with a recent Court of Appeal judgment, insisting that its actions were guided strictly by the law and constitutional provisions.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission explained that monitoring the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to disobedience of a court order.
According to the statement, the court order restrained INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress, or convention of the party pending the determination of the case before the Federal High Court.
INEC stressed that the commission is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that the appointment, tenure, and removal of its chairman are governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution.
“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,” the statement said.
The commission also explained that it decided to comply with the court judgment to avoid a repeat of situations in Zamfara and Plateau states, where elected officials were removed by election tribunals due to disobedience of court orders.
INEC further addressed concerns about a proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise, stating that the plan predates the appointment of the current chairman and is aimed at strengthening the integrity of the national voter register.
The commission clarified that the exercise is an administrative audit and not a fresh voter registration, adding that it will be conducted nationwide with digital options to make the process easier for voters.
INEC said the exercise would help confirm the status of registered voters, remove multiple registrations, eliminate deceased persons from the register, and improve the reliability of voter data.
The commission reiterated its neutrality and commitment to conducting free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections, stating that it would not be drawn into internal party disputes.
INEC concluded that the call for the resignation of Prof. Amupitan was unnecessary and not in line with constitutional provisions.
