INEC Rejects Calls for Chairman’s Removal, Defends Actions on ADC Crisis, Voter Revalidation
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls for the removal of its Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, describing the agitation as unconstitutional and reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law amid controversies surrounding party leadership disputes and voter register reforms.
The position was contained in a statement issued by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, on April 2, 2026, in Abuja.
In the statement, the Commission maintained that demands for the Chairman’s removal were misplaced, stressing that such calls amount to “a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.” It emphasised that its actions were guided strictly by the Constitution and recent court rulings.
INEC explained that its decisions, particularly in relation to the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), were in compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment. “Our action was guided strictly by the rule of law,” the Commission stated, warning against a repeat of past incidents where disobedience of court orders led to serious consequences.
The Commission recalled previous cases in Zamfara and Plateau states, where elected officials lost their positions due to non-compliance with judicial pronouncements, underscoring the importance of adhering to court orders.
Clarifying its position further, INEC noted that it had earlier recognised the David Mark-led Executive Committee before the dispute escalated, adding that maintaining the “status quo ante bellum” required reverting to the position of parties prior to the crisis. It also stressed that Section 287(2) of the Constitution mandates all authorities to obey and enforce Court of Appeal judgments.
On allegations that its actions undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, INEC dismissed such claims as baseless, pointing out that it recently registered three new political parties, bringing the total number of active parties to 22. The Commission reiterated that it remains “a neutral regulator and not a participant in political competition.”
Addressing concerns over the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC described the process as a routine administrative necessity rather than a political move. It stated that the exercise is intended to “strengthen the integrity of the register,” which currently contains voter data from 2011 to 2024.
The Commission explained that the revalidation would help confirm the status of registered voters, eliminate multiple registrations, update transfers, and remove deceased persons from the register. It clarified that the process is “an administrative audit, not a fresh registration,” and is not targeted at any region or political group.
According to INEC, the exercise will be conducted uniformly across all local government areas and polling units, with digital options to ensure accessibility, adding that detailed guidelines will be released in due course.
The Commission also assured Nigerians that it remains focused on preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, and will not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations.
Reaffirming its commitment to credible elections, INEC stated that it remains dedicated to delivering polls that are “free, fair, credible and inclusive,” insisting that calls for the Chairman’s resignation are unfounded and legally untenable.
