Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), joined by prominent opposition figures, have called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, accusing him of undermining Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.
The demand was made at a high-profile gathering in Abuja, where the ADC National Chairman, David Mark, read a joint statement on behalf of party leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, and Chibuike Amaechi.
The opposition leaders alleged that INEC’s recent decision to delist key ADC officials from its website was part of a broader attempt to weaken opposition parties and pave the way for a one-party state. They warned that such actions could compromise the credibility of the 2027 elections.
“The agenda is very clear,” Mark said. “To create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for Nigerians.”
The controversy stems from INEC’s move to remove the names of ADC leaders from its portal, which the commission said was in compliance with a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of an ongoing legal dispute within the party.
However, the ADC insists that INEC misinterpreted the court order and acted in a way that effectively left the party without recognised leadership, a move it described as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The party also vowed to proceed with its scheduled congresses and national convention, despite INEC’s stance. ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said the party had fulfilled all legal requirements, including notifying the commission.
“We have given INEC 21 days’ notice… whether they come or not, we will continue,” he said, alleging that the commission had succumbed to external pressure.
In a swift response, INEC dismissed the calls for its chairman’s removal as a distraction and a direct attack on its independence. The commission’s spokesperson, Adedayo Oketola, emphasised that the chairman’s tenure is protected by the Constitution and cannot be determined by political actors.
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party,” Oketola said, adding that the commission’s actions were guided strictly by court orders and legal obligations.
INEC further rejected allegations of bias, noting that it had recently recognised additional political parties, bringing the total number to 22 evidence, it said, of its commitment to a multi-party system.
The dispute has drawn reactions from across Nigeria’s political and civil society space. The Peoples Democratic Party warned that the country’s democracy was under strain, urging institutions to act with caution. Civil society groups also called on INEC to reconsider its decision, citing concerns about electoral integrity and voter confidence.
Meanwhile, legal scholar Chidi Odinkalu alleged political interference in the commission’s decision, a claim yet to be independently verified.
Heightened tensions were evident in Abuja, where security was reinforced around INEC headquarters amid fears of protests by opposition supporters.
At the centre of the controversy is a deepening leadership crisis within the ADC, which has been embroiled in legal battles since 2025. Analysts warn that the ongoing dispute, if unresolved, could weaken the opposition’s readiness for the 2027 elections and further inflame Nigeria’s already tense political climate.
