INEC tackles Mark-led ADC on call for Amupitan’s sack, justifies party’s derecognition

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described call for the resignation of its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as an attack on the body’s constitutional independence.

INEC said this in a statement issued Thursday night in Abuja by its Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola in reaction to call for Amupitan’s resignation by the David Mark-led executive of African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Mark, had at a press conference on Thursday called for sack of Amupitan and all commissioners of INEC following the Commission’s derecognition of his leadership of ADC based on the ruling of Court of Appeal.

But the Commission dismissed the call as it asserted that, “INEC is a creation of the Constitution. The appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly governed by law,” the statement said.

“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any calls for removal outside the constitutional process are a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.”

The Commission also justified its derecognition of the ADC executive, saying it complied with the Court of Appeal judgment on the issue.

It added that the action was to prevent a repeat of incidents in Zamfara and Plateau States, where elected officials were removed after the Commission disobeyed court orders.

INEC also said any contrary to a Federal High Court directive could have undermined ongoing legal processes.

It also dismissed claims that it is undermining the multi-party system, citing recent recognition of new political parties — including the Democratic Leadership Alliance, Nigeria Democratic Congress, and National Democratic Party—bringing the total to 22 active parties to back its claim.

“INEC remains a neutral regulator, not a participant in political competition,” it stressed.

INEC also reacted to controversies over the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, saying the initiative predates Professor Amupitan’s appointment and is purely administrative.

According to INEC, THE exercise, to be carried out across all Local Government Areas and Polling Units, aims to verify voter status, address multiple registrations, and remove deceased voters from

“Revalidation is essential to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters,” the Commission said. “It is not targeted at any region, party, or demographic and will include robust digital options for voters.”

The Commission also affirmed that its focus remains on preparing for upcoming off-cycle elections in Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026), warning against politicizing administrative decisions.

“Our allegiance is to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people. Calls for the resignation of Professor Amupitan are out of place,” it concluded.

Mark, had at a world press conference on Thursday alleged that NEC’s decision to delist the party’s leadership had intensified political tensions and raised fresh questions about the commission’s independence.

The former Senate President declared that the commission had lost public trust and was no longer capable of conducting credible, transparent, and acceptable elections in the country.

“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the national commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election.

“While posturing to be neutral, its actions clearly confirm that it has become irredeemably partisan in both conduct and decision-making. With its actions, this INEC has left no one in doubt that it is complicit in undermining Nigeria’s democracy and can no longer be trusted,” he said.