We can no longer trust INEC, ADC demands Amupitan’s sack
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate resignation of Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and all its National Commissioners, accusing the electoral body of partisanship and undermining democracy in Nigeria.
The demand was made by Senator David Mark, ADC National Chairman, during a press conference at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday.
Senator Mark said the INEC action on April 1, 2026, which withdrew recognition of both the ADC leadership and a rival faction purportedly led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, was unlawful and a direct assault on the country’s democratic process.
“The electoral umpire has taken sides. It can no longer be trusted,” Mark said, describing the decision as “irreparably partisan” and contrary to the March 12 Court of Appeal ruling that instructed all parties to maintain the status quo.
Mark explained that the rival faction led by Bala had resigned in May 2025, and that the ADC’s leadership, inaugurated at the July 29, 2025 NEC meeting with Mark as chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, was lawful and duly communicated to INEC.
“There are no competing claims on the leadership of the ADC. Nafiu Bala has no locus whatsoever. INEC should have waited for the Court of Appeal to decide this matter. Instead, INEC went ahead to do the bidding of the ruling party,” he said.
“The agenda is very clear: to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people,” Mark said.
He warned that INEC would be held accountable for any consequences arising from its actions, describing the April 1 decision as a “criminal path” that threatens Nigeria’s democracy.
