The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, and all National Commissioners, accusing the electoral body of bias in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party said the demand became necessary following what it described as questionable actions by the commission, including the recent derecognition of the ADC, which it claimed undermines democratic principles in the country.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, who addressed journalists on behalf of the party’s leadership, said the ADC had lost confidence in the ability of the current INEC leadership to conduct credible elections.
Mark said the conduct of the commission had raised serious concerns about its neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We demand the immediate resignation or removal of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the National Commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced they are incapable of conducting credible elections in this country,” he said.
The former Senate President alleged that the commission had taken sides with the ruling APC, warning that such actions could erode public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
He noted that despite the party’s grievances, the ADC would continue to pursue its political programmes in accordance with the law.
“Let it be clear that we will proceed with our party programmes. There is nothing in the law that makes INEC’s attendance mandatory. We have duly notified the commission of our activities and we will move forward accordingly,” Mark stated.
The ADC leadership also appealed to the international community to pay attention to developments surrounding the commission’s actions, warning that the situation could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
According to Mark, the international community should take note of INEC’s actions on April 1 and the restraint demonstrated by the ADC leadership despite what it described as provocations.
“We urge the international community to recognise the threat these actions pose to Nigeria’s democracy and to hold accountable those undermining the integrity of the electoral process,” he said.
He further urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and defend the country’s democratic institutions against any attempt to weaken them.
“This is a defining moment for our democracy. Nigerians must stand firm, speak out and resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on the country,” Mark added.
The ADC maintained that Nigeria’s democratic system must remain transparent, inclusive and reflective of the will of the people, stressing that safeguarding the integrity of elections is essential to the country’s political stability.
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