Tunde Bakare
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed recent calls for the removal of its Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, describing the agitation as unconstitutional and a distraction from its constitutional mandate.
The statement was issued by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Abuja.
In the statement, the Commission said the demands followed its decision to comply with a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, stressing that its action was guided strictly by the rule of law.
INEC maintained that it is a creation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and that the appointment, tenure and removal of its Chairman and National Commissioners are clearly provided for under Section 157 of the Constitution. The Commission stated that the Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group and warned that any call for removal outside the constitutional process amounts to “a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.”
On the controversy surrounding the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Commission explained that its decision to comply with the judgment of the Court of Appeal was to avoid a repeat of past experiences where disobedience of court orders led to grave consequences.
It recalled situations in Zamfara and Plateau States where elected officials were removed by election tribunals on account of non-compliance with court judgments. INEC also referenced a preservative order restraining it from taking steps that could render pending processes before the Federal High Court nugatory, noting that monitoring the congresses or convention of the David Mark-led faction would have amounted to disobedience of that order.
The Commission further clarified that it had accepted and approved the David Mark Executive Committee on September 9, 2025, seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court. It explained that the order to maintain status quo ante bellum required adherence to the position of parties before the dispute escalated, adding that Section 287(2) of the Constitution mandates every authority in Nigeria not only to obey but also to enforce the judgments of the Court of Appeal.
Responding to allegations that its actions undermine the multi-party system, INEC described the claims as unfounded. It pointed to the recent registration and recognition of three new political parties, bringing the total number of active political parties to 22, as evidence of its commitment to expanding democratic space. The Commission reiterated that it remains a neutral regulator and not a participant in political competition.
On the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC noted attempts to politicise what it described as a professional and administrative necessity. It clarified that the decision to revalidate the National Register of Voters predates the appointment of the current Chairman and is aimed at strengthening the integrity of the register, which contains data spanning from 2011 to 2024.
The Commission explained that the exercise is designed to confirm the status of registered voters, address issues arising from transfers, multiple registrations and deceased persons, and enhance the reliability of voter data. It stressed that the revalidation is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration, and is not targeted at any region, party or demographic group.
According to the statement, the exercise will be conducted uniformly across all Local Government Areas and Polling Units, with robust digital options to ensure ease of access. The Commission added that detailed modalities for the exercise will be made public in due course and that all stakeholders will be fully carried along.
INEC also stated that it is currently focused on preparations for the Ekiti State governorship election in June 2026 and the Osun State governorship election in August 2026, assuring Nigerians that it will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias.
Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the Commission stated that its decisions are based on thorough evaluation and in alignment with the legal framework governing its operations. It added that the calls for the resignation of Prof. Amupitan are misplaced and that it remains dedicated to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible and inclusive.