The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has renewed its call for the immediate resignation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, citing resurfaced 2023 social media activity that it says reveals pro-ruling party bias.

ADC national publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement issued on Saturday, described the alleged past partisan commentary as “a grave affront to the integrity of our electoral system” and warned that the party would escalate civil disobedience until the chairman steps down.

The demand comes amid a deepening row over an old X interaction. In March 2023, during Lagos state elections, APC national youth leader Dayo Israel posted a boast about winning polling units in an “Igbo-dominated community” where the party had previously struggled. A reply from an account bearing Amupitan’s name reportedly stated “Victory is sure.”

While the original Dayo Israel post is well-documented and widely reported at the time, the attribution of the reply to Amupitan remains contested.

INEC has previously described such claims as fabrications and vowed to pursue those responsible for impersonation or circulation of misleading material. Critics, however, point to digital footprints and the timing of account changes as raising legitimate questions about neutrality.

The ADC’s latest push links the controversy to broader accusations of bias. The party has repeatedly accused INEC under Amupitan of interfering in its internal leadership crisis, particularly regarding recognition of Senator David Mark’s faction.

Earlier in April, ADC leaders, including Mark, held a press conference demanding the sack of Amupitan and all national commissioners, claiming loss of confidence in their ability to conduct credible polls.

Amupitan, a senior advocate and former University of Jos professor, was confirmed as INEC chairman in late 2025. His appointment was initially praised by some for legal expertise but quickly drew opposition criticism over perceived closeness to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.

In response to the latest allegations, the ADC said it would update petitions to the Nigeria Bar Association, international bodies and foreign governments, arguing that an electoral umpire “must not only be independent, but must also be seen, beyond any reasonable doubt, to be independent.”

INEC has so far rejected calls for the chairman’s removal, insisting that tenure is protected under Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and that the attacks are politically motivated.

The controversy has intensified public debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, with analysts warning that sustained questions over the electoral body’s leadership could further erode trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

The ADC, which positions itself as part of the opposition coalition, has threatened coordinated nationwide action if Amupitan remains in office, while urging its supporters to maintain lawful conduct.