The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls for the removal of its chairman, Joash Amupitan, insisting that its leadership and decisions are firmly grounded in the Constitution and the rule of law.
In a statement issued late on Thursday in Abuja, signed by the chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission said it had seen “recent public statements by political actors” alleging partisan bias and demanding Amupitan’s removal following INEC’s decision to comply with a Court of Appeal judgment.
While acknowledging the right of stakeholders to air their views, INEC stressed that its operations and leadership structure are constitutionally protected.
It added that the appointment, tenure and removal of its chairman and national commissioners are governed strictly by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group,” the Commission said.
INEC warned that any attempt to force a removal outside the constitutional process would amount to an attack on the independence of Nigeria’s electoral umpire.
According to the Commission, its compliance with the appellate court ruling was deliberate and aimed at avoiding a repeat of past situations in which elected officials were unseated for disobeying court orders, citing previous cases in Zamfara and Plateau states.
It added that it was also bound by a preservative order of the Federal High Court, and that monitoring the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by David Mark would have amounted to disobedience of that order.
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INEC clarified that it only recognised Mark’s executive committee on 9 September 2025, seven days after the matter was filed in court.
On the binding nature of appellate rulings, the Commission cited Section 287(2) of the Constitution, which mandates all authorities to obey and enforce judgments of the Court of Appeal.
INEC also rejected claims that it was undermining Nigeria’s multi-party system, pointing to the recent registration and recognition of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), bringing the total number of active political parties to 22.
“INEC remains a neutral regulator, not a participant in political competition,” the statement said, adding that the Commission would not be drawn into internal disputes within political parties.
On the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC cautioned against politicising what it described as an administrative process that pre-dates Amupitan’s appointment.
The exercise, it said, is designed to strengthen the integrity of the national voters’ register, address issues such as multiple registrations and deceased voters, and will be carried out in phases across all local government areas and polling units, with digital options included.
Looking ahead, the Commission said it was focused on preparations for the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 2026 and the Osun poll due in August 2026.
“We will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias. Our allegiance remains solely to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people,” INEC said.
The Commission concluded that calls for the chairman’s resignation were “out of place.”