***Says calls politically motivated

***clarifies voter revalidation exercise

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls for the resignation of its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.

The commission describing the calls as misplaced and legally unfounded.

The Commission also addressed recent misconceptions surrounding the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the calls for the Chairman’s removal were politically motivated, noting that the appointment and tenure of the Commission’s leadership are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday demanded the resignation of the Chairman of the Amupitan, following the commission’s decision to derecognise the party’s leadership.

The demand came when top opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, gathered at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja to address the unfolding crisis within the party.

Also in attendance were the ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark; former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke; John Odigie-Oyegun; Ralph Nwosu; and Kashim Imam, among others.

Addressing journalists, Mark said the party no longer had confidence in INEC, accusing the commission of taking sides with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and compromising its neutrality.

“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the National Commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election,” he said.

INEC had, on Wednesday, announced that it would no longer recognise Mark and Aregbesola as the party’s national chairman and secretary, respectively, alongside other members of the National Working Committee, pending the determination of a leadership tussle before the courts.

But, Oketola explained that its compliance with a recent Court of Appeal judgment regarding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was necessary to avoid legal complications similar to those witnessed in Zamfara and Plateau States, where disobedience of court judgments led to the removal of elected officials.

He said the Commission noted that it acted within the boundaries of the law, following court orders that restrict it from monitoring certain party congresses while related cases are pending at the Federal High Court.

Oketola said that updates to party leadership records, including the recognition of David Mark-led ADC’s executives in September 2025, were conducted in strict compliance with court orders and statutory requirements.

He emphasised that INEC has actively expanded Nigeria’s democratic space, citing the registration and recognition of three new political parties, the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the National Democratic Party (NDP) bringing the total number of active parties to 22.

His words: “While the Commission recognises the right of stakeholders to express their views, it is imperative to clarify that INEC is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly governed 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. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.

“While a political party or a group is allowed to protect their interest, the Commission decided to comply with the Judgment of the Court of Appeal to avert a situation that occurred in Zamfara State and Plateau State where elected officials were removed by the Election Tribunal on account of the disobedience of Court Judgment.

“In addition, the Commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory. Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the Originating Summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party.

“It is either that INEC obey the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuse to obey it. Section 287(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the Judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such Judgment.”

Addressing concerns over the nationwide voter revalidation exercise, Oketola clarified that the initiative predates Professor Amupitan’s tenure and is intended to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters.

“The exercise, the Commission said, is an administrative audit designed to update voter information, address multiple registrations, remove deceased persons, and enhance data reliability. INEC stressed that the exercise is uniform, non-discriminatory, and not targeted at any region, party, or demographic.

“The Commission understands that some decisions can be challenging and may not always align with individual party interests. However, the Commission is dedicated to fostering an electoral environment where transparency and fairness prevail.

“The decisions taken by INEC are based on thorough evaluations and aligned with the legal framework that governs our operations including adherence to the Rule of Law.

“They are intended to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, which ultimately serve the interests of all stakeholders within our democracy, rather than specific political entities”, he said.