The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected demands for the resignation of its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, describing such calls as an attempt to undermine the constitutional independence of the electoral body.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the commission’s spokesperson, Adedayo Oketola, dismissed allegations of bias against its leadership, insisting they are baseless and driven by political interests.
INEC explained that its actions were guided by a ruling of the Court of Appeal, stressing that it is legally bound to obey judicial decisions. The commission warned that failure to comply with court orders could lead to serious constitutional issues, referencing past electoral disputes in states like Zamfara and Plateau.
It also clarified that ignoring earlier court directives could have exposed the commission to contempt proceedings and further complicated ongoing legal matters.
Addressing accusations of partisanship, INEC maintained that it remains neutral and committed to supporting a multi-party system. The commission pointed to the recent registration of new political parties as evidence of its openness and fairness in the democratic process.
On the issue of the nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC stated that the initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at improving the credibility of the voter register. According to the commission, the exercise will help eliminate duplicate entries, remove deceased voters, and ensure accurate data across all polling units.
The commission also emphasised that the process is not targeted at any region or political group, but is necessary to guarantee transparent elections, especially ahead of upcoming governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun states.
The response follows criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose chairman, David Mark, accused INEC of bias and called for the chairman’s resignation.
Mark alleged that the commission interfered in the party’s internal matters and acted improperly in handling its leadership dispute. He also claimed that the current administration is attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, INEC reiterated that it answers only to the Constitution and the Nigerian people, cautioning political actors against dragging the commission into partisan battles.