• SERAP tasks N’Assembly on allegations against INEC boss
• AI, screenshots not reliable evidence for posts, says INEC
• Shariah Council denies mobilising Muslims against Amupitan

The House of Representatives caucus of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the prosecution and removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over alleged partiality and inconsistencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

To resolve the matter, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional oversight functions to conduct credible, impartial, transparent, and effective investigations into the serious allegations reportedly made against the INEC boss, as well as the plausibility of INEC’s response to the allegations.

Also, INEC has dismissed Artificial Intelligence (AI) outputs and social media screenshots as unreliable evidence in the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged X (formerly Twitter) posts linked to its chairman.

As more Nigerians call for the head of Amupitan, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Adewole Adebayo, and activist, Mahdi Shehu, gave reasonshe should resign.

In another twist, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) denied allegations circulating on social media that it directed Muslims to embark on prayers for the removal of Amupitan.

At its inaugural meeting yesterday in Abuja, the Reps Caucus expressed deep concern about the electoral umpire’s neutrality, warning that recent developments could undermine the credibility of the democratic process.

The lawmakers alleged that Amupitan had engaged in partisan conduct, including purported activity on a personal Xaccount expressing support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as posts relating to claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Although INEC denied any link between the chairman and the account, the caucus insisted that digital traces reportedly tie the account to him, raising questions about his integrity and transparency.

Citing these concerns, the caucus called for his immediate removal and prosecution, arguing that allowing him to oversee the 2027 elections could jeopardise public trust and democratic stability.

The ADC lawmakers further accused INEC of interfering in the party’s internal affairs, particularly regarding an ongoing leadership dispute. They claimed the commission was recognising a faction they described as illegitimate, instead of the leadership led by Senator David Mark, which they said had previously met all regulatory requirements and was duly acknowledged by INEC.

According to the caucus, such actions amount to an abdication of INEC’s responsibility as an impartial arbiter and could effectively exclude the ADC from participating in upcoming elections.

The group also raised alarm over what it described as a coordinated effort involving elements within INEC and the judiciary to influence the outcome of a pending court case on the party’s leadership crisis.

The case, scheduled for hearing on April 14, 2026, could determine which faction is officially recognised.

In response to what it termed “judicial compromise and malfeasance,” the caucus disclosed plans to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate allegedly compromised judicial officers.

The move aligns with recent concerns raised by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, who warned that growing perceptions of political influence over the judiciary are eroding public confidence.

They thereby urged Nigerians, civil society groups, and the media to rise above partisan interests and work collectively to safeguard the nation’s democracy, stressing that INEC must not only be independent in name but must also demonstrate credibility, transparency and impartiality in practice.

For SERAP, the allegations and INEC’s response raise serious concerns about the integrity and impartiality of the electoral commission, and compliance with the rule of law and go to the heart of public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“The credibility of INEC is essential to the integrity and legitimacy of Nigeria’s electoral process, and any allegation that may undermine this credibility must be promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigated. The National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to conduct this investigation.

“Indeed, under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, the National Assembly has the power to conduct investigations into the conduct of public officials and institutions, including INEC, to expose corruption, inefficiency, or abuse of office.”

BUTINEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Lawrence Bayode, during an interview on Channels Television yesterday, addressed claims tied to a social media account purportedly associated with the chairman.

Bayode stressed that the commission would rely solely on verifiable and forensic evidence to determine the authenticity of the account and the content circulating online.

“We rely on evidence. I will not base my judgments on screenshots. I will not allow that to guide my conclusion,” he said.

He disclosed that INEC has engaged security agencies and would bring in independent forensic experts to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

INEC reiterated that the allegations were false and part of a coordinated misinformation campaign, adding that it was working with relevant authorities to identify and prosecute those behind the impersonation.

Adebayo, on his part, emphasised that the matter of integrity would be pivotal if the controversial X account were confirmed to be Amupitan’s after he had vehemently denied having anything to do with it.

“If it is traced back to him and he denies it, it raises integrity concerns,” Adebayo, an international lawyer, said, adding that “if a prima facie case of dishonesty is established, resignation might be warranted.”

During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adebayo said that although digital content is subject to manipulation, ownership can be traced through forensic analysis.

Shehu,in a post shared on Xyesterday, accused the INEC chairman of bias and misconduct, actions he described as damaging to public trust in the electoral body.

According to him, it is either that BAT and Amupitan do not understand the gravity of the situation surrounding the INEC chairman’s scandal, or they are testing Nigerians’ patience.

He added: “BAT has decided to remain silent on the genuine calls for the INEC chairman to resign in the overriding interest of democracy.”

In a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the Shariah council described the claims as false and misleading, distancing itself from reports that it had also threatened that elections would not hold if its purported demands were not met.

“At no time did the council issue any directive, statement or call of such nature. These fabrications are not only false but are clearly intended to mislead the public, create unnecessary tension, and drag the council into the murky and often divisive waters of partisan political contestation,” the statement reads.

However, the SCSN reaffirmed its earlier position that the INEC chairman should either resign or be relieved of his duties, citing concerns over what it described as prejudicial views against Islam and Muslims.

The council said its stance was not driven by political bias or sectarian considerations but was based on concerns arising from the INEC chairman’s actions and dispositions, including views allegedly expressed in a widely circulated legal brief.