The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate resignation or sack of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, accusing the electoral body of partisanship and undermining Nigeria’s democracy.
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Friday, ADC National Chairman, David Mark, said the party had completely lost confidence in the electoral umpire, insisting that INEC’s recent actions were unlawful and a direct assault on democratic principles.
He alleged that the commission had taken sides in an internal party dispute and acted in contempt of a Court of Appeal ruling by withdrawing recognition of the party’s leadership.
Mark accused the administration of Bola Tinubu of orchestrating a broader agenda to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections. According to him, the move was aimed at creating a political environment where the ruling party emerges as the only viable option, despite rising insecurity and economic hardship across the country.
The ADC leader traced the crisis to a dispute over the party’s leadership, explaining that the current executives emerged from a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, and duly communicated to INEC. He maintained that the commission had prior knowledge of the process and had even uploaded the names of the new leadership before the controversy arose.
He dismissed claims by a former party official, Nafiu Bala, to the ADC leadership, noting that Bala had resigned months before initiating legal action. Mark argued that INEC’s decision to treat both factions as equal amounted to creating a “false equivalence” and an artificial leadership vacuum within the party.
“The only conclusion Nigerians can draw is that the electoral umpire has taken sides and can no longer be trusted,” Mark said, warning that INEC’s actions could jeopardise the integrity of upcoming elections, including governorship polls in Osun and Ekiti states.
The party further warned that the commission’s decision could disrupt its scheduled congresses and national convention in April, despite the ADC having fulfilled all legal requirements, including notifying INEC.
Calling on Nigerians and the international community to take note, Mark described the situation as a defining moment for the country’s democracy. He urged citizens to resist any attempt to impose a one-party state, stressing that the ADC would proceed with its political activities regardless of INEC’s stance.
“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman and all National Commissioners. We are convinced they are incapable of conducting any credible election,” he declared.
The ADC maintained that the crisis was not just about the party but about safeguarding democratic freedoms, warning that failure to act could signal a dangerous slide towards authoritarian rule.