‘This is law, not politics’- INEC Chair Amupitan replies ADC

Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has delivered a sharp rebuke to opposition parties, insisting that the commission’s actions are strictly guided by law, not politics, in response to allegations from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that INEC is biased in its internal leadership dispute.

In an exclusive interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Amupitan dismissed claims that INEC is part of a plot to entrench a one-party state.

“I am not guilty as charged. I am not a party to any plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. By the Constitution, Nigeria is a multi-party state. Look at the last election — multiple parties contested. This is Nigeria. This is law, not politics,” he said.

The INEC chairman explained that its decision not to recognise any faction within the ADC was based on binding Court of Appeal orders and ongoing legal proceedings, including preservation orders that prevent the commission from taking actions that could render court cases nugatory.

“So when some people cry foul, they ignore that INEC cannot act outside court orders. If parties fail to comply with these directives, they risk losing their elections — we’ve seen this happen before,” Amupitan said, referencing prior instances where non-compliance affected party victories.

Amupitan also addressed criticisms of INEC’s voter register revalidation exercise, explaining that it predates his tenure and is aimed at improving the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral database, which currently lists around 93 million voters. He detailed a two-phase validation process, including stakeholder engagement and field testing, to ensure transparency ahead of the 2027 elections.

Highlighting the conflicting communications from opposing ADC factions, Amupitan said the commission convened legal and operational teams to carefully evaluate the facts before acting, adding, “We did not wake up one day and take a decision. Everything we do is guided by law and court directives.”

“The point is simple: this is law, not politics. INEC will not be dragged into political theatrics or wailing. Elections are about procedures, facts, and compliance with the Constitution,” he concluded.