INEC Rejects Call For Amupitan’s Removal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls for the removal of its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

A statement on Thursday by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, said calls by some political actors for the chairman’s removal over the commission’s decision to comply with a Court of Appeal judgment were “a distraction” and “a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.”

“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,” INEC said.

The commission stressed that its actions were guided strictly by the Constitution, noting that “the appointment, tenure and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

INEC explained that its decision to comply with the Court of Appeal judgment in the ongoing African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership dispute was to avoid a repeat of past incidents where elected officials were removed due to disobedience of court orders.

“The Commission decided to comply with the judgment of the Court of Appeal to avert a situation that occurred in Zamfara State and Plateau State where elected officials were removed by election tribunals on account of the disobedience of court judgments,” it stated.

It added that it also acted in obedience to a preservative court order restraining it from taking steps that could render ongoing judicial processes nugatory, including monitoring meetings of a faction within the party.

“It is either that INEC obeys the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuses to obey it. Section 287(2) of the Constitution mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such judgment,” the commission said.

Responding to allegations of bias, INEC maintained that it remained neutral and committed to expanding the democratic space, citing the recent registration of new political parties.

“Far from undermining the multi-party system, the Commission has actively expanded the democratic space,” it said, noting that the recognition of additional parties has brought the total number of active political parties to 22.

The commission further clarified that updates to party leadership records were based strictly on compliance with subsisting court orders and provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

“INEC will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties, nor will it allow itself to be used as a proxy for resolving organisational challenges that belong to the parties themselves,” it added.

On the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC described it as a routine administrative process aimed at strengthening the integrity of the voter register.

“The proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters,” it said.

According to the commission, the exercise is intended to confirm the status of registered voters, address issues such as transfers, multiple registrations and deceased persons, and enhance the reliability of voter data.

“It is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration. It is not targeted at any region, party or demographic,” INEC added.

The commission said the exercise would be conducted across all local government areas and polling units, with digital options provided to ease access for voters.

INEC also reaffirmed its focus on preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, scheduled for June and August 2026 respectively.

“We will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias. Our allegiance remains solely to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people,” it said.

Reaffirming its commitment to credible elections, the commission added that calls for the resignation of its chairman were misplaced.