Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan has reminded those demanding that he should be sacked or resign that they are attacking the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Any call for my removal outside the constitutional process amounts to a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.”
In a statement reacting to the demand by the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark for his sack or resignation, Professor Amupitan said that INEC came into existence under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and that his appointment, tenure and removal as Chairman and that of the National Commissioners are clearly provided for under Section 157 of the Constitution.
Professor Amupitan insisted that INEC was right in disowning the leadership of the ADC, adding he is not in office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group.
He said that INEC’s decision to comply with the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of the ADC was to avoid a repeat of past experiences where disobedience of court orders led to grave consequences.
He recalled situations in Zamfara and Plateau States where elected officials were removed by election tribunals on account of non-compliance with court judgments.
He also referenced a preservative order restraining the Commission from taking steps that could render pending processes before the Federal High Court nugatory, saying that monitoring the congresses or convention of the David Mark-led faction would have amounted to disobedience of that order.
According to Professor Amupitan, INEC had initially accepted and approved the David Mark Executive Committee on September 9, 2025, seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court and that the order to maintain status quo ante bellum required adherence to the position of parties before the dispute escalated.
He said 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 8NEC actions undermine the multi-party system, he described the claims as unfounded. He 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 INEC commitment to expanding democratic space. The Commission chairman stressed that INEC remains a neutral regulator and not a participant in political competition.
On the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, Professor Amupitan condemned attempts to politicise what he described as a professional and administrative necessity.
According to him, the decision to revalidate the National Register of Voters predates his appointment as Chairman and is aimed at strengthening the integrity of the register, which contains data spanning from 2011 to 2024.
He said 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.
He said that the revalidation is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration, and is not targeted at any region, party or demographic group.
According to him, the exercise will be conducted uniformly across all Local Government Areas and Polling Units, with robust digital options to ensure ease of access.
The chairman said that detailed modalities for the exercise will be made public in due course and that all stakeholders will be fully carried along.
He said that the Commission 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 he will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias.
Reaffirming his commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the Commission chairman said that decisions are based on thorough evaluation and in alignment with the legal framework governing the operations.
