The Independent National Electoral Commission has come under intense criticism, following the derecognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress on Wednesday.

Opposition heavyweights and top leaders of the ADC on Thursday condemned the electoral umpire for the decision, accusing the commission of acting under the influence of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.

As a result, they called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN).

However, in a swift reaction, the elecctoral umpire dismissed the calls for Amupitan’s removal.

In a statement on Thursday night in Abuja, and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission acknowledged the right of stakeholders to express their views, but stressed that its operations and leadership structure are constitutionally protected.

“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).”

INEC on Wednesday announced its decision to delist key ADC figures, including National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and others.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, stated that the decision was in compliance with a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the trial court’s determination of the case.

The ADC has faced a leadership crisis since July 2025, following Mark’s emergence as head of the new National Working Committee.

Disagreements over former chairman Ralph Nwosu’s role in the 2025 transition sparked internal opposition.

The dispute escalated as rival groups laid claim to the party’s leadership, resulting in multiple court cases. This has created uncertainty within the ADC, raising concerns that the internal conflict could weaken its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday, Mark said that over the past three years, there has been a sustained attack on the freedom of association, a core principle guaranteed in any democracy.

“We demand the immediate resignation or sacking 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,” Mark stated.

He further added that the ADC, under his leadership, would continue with its party activities, maintaining that there is no legal provision that makes INEC’s presence compulsory.

But reacting to the party’s statement, INEC emphasised the independence of its leadership, noting that “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.”

Explaining its decision to comply with a recent Court of Appeal judgment, INEC said the move was necessary to prevent a repeat of past incidents.

According to the electoral body, “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.”

It added that it was also acting in line with a preservative court order, stating that the Commission did not want to disobey the order or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory.

The commission explained that monitoring activities of the David Mark-led faction of the ADC would amount to disobedience of that order.

INEC clarified the timeline of its earlier actions, noting that “it was only on the 9th of September 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s Exco, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court.”

It stressed the binding nature of appellate court rulings, adding, “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.”

On the allegations of undermining the multi-party system, the commission dismissed such claims, saying its recent actions demonstrate otherwise.

It noted that the recent registration and recognition of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the National Democratic Party, bringing the total number of active political parties to 22, is an empirical rebuttal to any claim of a one-party agenda.

INEC maintained that it “remains a neutral regulator, not a participant in political competition.”

The commission also reiterated its stance on internal party disputes, stating that INEC will not be drawn into the internal strife within political parties, nor will it allow itself to be used as a proxy for resolving organisational challenges that belong to the parties themselves.

Addressing concerns over the planned voter revalidation exercise, INEC cautioned against attempts to politicise the process.

It explained that “The decision to revalidate the Voters Register pre-dates the appointment of Professor Amupitan.”

The exercise, it said, is “a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters.”

Providing further clarification, the commission stated, “This exercise is designed to sanitise the register and is to be executed in phases.”

It added that it is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration, emphasising that it is not targeted at any region, party, or demographic but a uniform, transparent process that will be conducted across all local government areas and polling units, with robust digital options for ease of access.

INEC emphasised that the revalidation process would help “confirm the status of registered voters, address issues arising from transfers, multiple registrations and deceased persons, and enhance the reliability of voter data in Nigeria.”

The commission noted that its priority remains the upcoming elections.

“The commission is currently focused on the surgical precision required for the forthcoming Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026) off-cycle elections. We will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias. Our allegiance remains solely to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people,” the electoral body stated.

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles, INEC stated that its decisions are guided by law and due process.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the ADC said the delisting of its leaders was a calculated plot to impose a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress of using the electoral umpire to weaken opposition parties.

However, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement on Thursday, insisted the party’s challenges are self-inflicted and not the result of external interference.

The embattled party leader further alleged that the aim is to engineer a situation where, by 2027, President Bola Tinubu becomes the sole viable choice for Nigerians, despite the prevailing hardship and escalating insecurity across the country.

He stated, “The agenda is very clear: To create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people, despite the widespread suffering and wanton killings going on across the country.

The twin challenge of deepening poverty and a worsening security situation in the country did not just happen. They are direct consequences of the failure of this government. They know that Nigerians will not want this to continue. They know Nigerians will vote them out. This is why they would do anything to hang on to power by hook or crook.”

Mark further noted that their decision to join the ADC was deliberate, pointing out that they carried out thorough due diligence.

“In furtherance of this process, a NEC meeting was convened on July 29th, 2025, monitored by INEC officials. One of the conclusions of that NEC meeting was the dissolution of the National Working Committee of the party and the ratification of a caretaker committee to take over the affairs of the party, with my humble self, David Mark, as the national chairman; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the national secretary; as well as others who have since been serving as officers of the party.

“In addition to witnessing this process that brought in the new leadership of the party, a formal report of these resolutions was subsequently communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission. On September 9th, 2025, INEC then uploaded the names of the relevant NWC members of the party, based on the NEC resolutions.’’

Speaking further, he continued, “One of the officials in the dissolved NWC was Nafiu Bala, who was one of the deputy national chairmen of the party. It is on record that Gombe resigned from this position on 17th May, 2025.

‘’His resignation was also duly transmitted to INEC on the 12th of August, 2025. Regardless of his resignation, he decided to approach the courts on September 2nd, 2025, four clear months after his resignation, seeking to be recognised as the chairman of the ADC.’’

The embattled opposition leader explained that by September 2, when Bala went to court, INEC was already aware of the July 29 inauguration of the party’s leadership and Gombe’s prior resignation.

He added that while the case was ongoing, their lawyers challenged the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and directed all parties, including INEC, to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

Mark continued, “The crux of the matter is the interpretation of what constitutes status quo ante bellum, which the Court of Appeal directed should be maintained. From all authoritative counsel at our disposal, there is no legal interpretation or precedent that could possibly lead to the outcome that INEC seeks to foist on our party.

“Based on its press statement of yesterday, INEC is pretending to be confused as to what constitutes the status quo ante bellum. If this were so, under the circumstances, what one would have expected was for INEC to approach the Court of Appeal to request a judicial interpretation of what truly represents the status quo under the circumstances. But it did not do this. While posturing to be neutral, its actions confirm that it has become irredeemably partisan, working, as it were, towards a preconceived agenda.’’

Mark accused INEC of acting in contempt of the Court of Appeal, describing its move as a direct attack on Nigeria’s democracy and on citizens’ rights to choose, participate, and freely exercise their civic freedoms.

“It is important to state the net implications of this decision taken by INEC, in case they had not thought of it, or they just do not care: First, by attempting to subvert the leadership of the ADC, INEC has already undermined our participation in the Osun and Ekiti elections taking place later this year.

“Secondly, we have our congresses starting on the 9th of April, 2026, ending with our convention on the 14th of April, 2026. We have given due notice to INEC, and they have acknowledged receipt of that notice. This is what the law requires of us.

‘’Let us sound a note of warning. This INEC under Professor Joash Amupitan will be held directly responsible for whatever actions or reactions that follow this criminal path that it has chosen to take.’’

The Inter-Party Advisory Council, on its part, expressed deep concern over the handling of the leadership crisis rocking the ADC, warning that missteps could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

The council also decried the persistent killings in Plateau State and raised objections to the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise, citing risks of voter disenfranchisement and systemic strain on political parties.

IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, where he urged the electoral umpire to tread carefully in addressing internal disputes within political parties.

He said, “IPAC calls on INEC to exercise caution in handling the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress. In cases of internal party disagreements, it must be clearly understood that leadership structures, even when contested, do not amount to a vacuum.

“IPAC therefore urges INEC to act with restraint, fairness and strict adherence to due process in resolving intra-party issues.”

On the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise, the council warned that while voter register updates are essential for credible elections, the timing of the exercise could pose significant challenges.

“IPAC acknowledges that periodic updates of the voter register are vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. However, the timing of the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise raises serious concerns,” Martins stated.

IPAC warned that political parties and other key stakeholders are already overstretched by multiple obligations under the new Electoral Act, including ongoing nationwide membership registration with mandatory NIN verification, party primaries, and INEC’s verification and compliance assessments.

It also cautioned that introducing a Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise at this time, without broad consultation or adequate preparation, could overwhelm the system.

“We therefore urge INEC to reconsider the timing of the exercise to prevent an overly congested electoral environment that may ultimately exclude, rather than include, more citizens in the democratic process,” Martins appealed.

The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee also criticised the INEC’s decision, alleging bias against the ADC and other opposition parties.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Thursday, the party warned that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.

It said, “With recent political events, which are clear orchestrations and manipulations against opposition political parties, the political temperature of the country has been unnecessarily raised to near-fever levels. Society, like the human body, either breaks down or adjusts when subjected to fever.

“This is a critical moment in our democratic journey, where the fragility and vulnerability of the polity are being tested to their limits. No individual or institution should stretch the patience of Nigerians beyond its present bounds. We must adopt a ‘country-first’ disposition that transcends partisan cleavages.”

Meanwhile, the 2023 presidential candidate of the ADC, Dumebi Kachikwu, described the controversial 2025 leadership change within the party as unfortunate, accusing those behind it of lacking political ideology and direction.

Kachikwu made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja while addressing journalists on the latest development in the party.

The former presidential candidate questioned how prominent political figures became entangled in what he described as a self-inflicted crisis.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), the Independent National Electoral Commission, in response to a recent court ruling, said it has ceased to recognise the David Mark-led caretaker committee. They went further to say they wouldn’t recognise any faction until all matters in the courts have been decided.

“How did we get here? Did hundreds of our so-called political giants just commit political suicide? How did they get sucked into this quicksand?”

Kachikwu further alleged that Nwosu had no legal standing to midwife the leadership change.

He said, “Ralph Nwosu, whose tenure as chairman of the African Democratic Congress lapsed on August 21 2022, sold the ADC to men who had destroyed their parties and were seeking another party with which to prosecute their grudge match against President Tinubu and the APC.

“This group of mostly ex- political office holders who have held sway over the affairs of Nigeria for the last 40 years or more had attempted to register the All Democratic Alliance and then jumped to the Social Democratic Party before they gate-crashed the ADC in the middle of the night. How do you explain this? Jumping from political party to political party, no ideology, no belief system, standing for nothing and believing only in the notion that power is their birthright?”

The ADC chieftain warned that the crisis is far from over, citing ongoing legal battles that could reach the Supreme Court.

‘’I had long warned that the ADC was a bad market and that anyone who attempted to come into the party through the back door would be shown the way out through the windows.

“What we are seeing today is just the beginning. There are several court cases that will end at the Supreme Court, and the only way they can win is if the Supreme Court can change Monday to Saturday and Saturday to Tuesday.

“This is Nigeria, where anything and everything is possible. So, all those of you who joined these geriatrics because you seek to contest for positions in the 2027 general elections, I regret to inform you that the actions of these men have rendered any political aspiration through the ADC a nonstarter.”

Kachikwu also accused the Mark-led faction of planning to commercialise party structures in a way that would exclude ordinary members.

“These men who attempted to hijack our party had already concluded plans to conduct congresses where forms that were hitherto sold for N50,000 would now be sold for N500,000, all in a bid to disenfranchise the poor party faithful who originally held those positions.

“Are they saying that ordinary Nigerians, whom they consider poor, are not good enough to hold party positions in a party where these big men are? They have long told us that they seek political office to better the lot of the masses, yet they can’t be in a party where the masses hold sway.”

Kachikwu suggested the possibility of a broader political conspiracy involving the ruling All Progressives Congress.

In his reaction, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, rejected the allegations, maintaining that INEC’s decision to derecognise the Mark-led executives was based on a valid court judgment, legally sound, and consistent with electoral regulations and democratic practice.

He described it as escapist and irresponsible for the ADC to blame the APC for its internal challenges, which he said the ADC itself created.

The APC stated, “Quite apart from being an assembly of Nigeria’s most confused and desperate politicians, the African Democratic Congress has distinguished itself as a peddler of rabid conspiracy theories about what the All Progressives Congress is or is not doing to undermine the party.

“The ADC is a party that never was. By design, it was a kamikaze contraption with a ‘follow-come’ self-destructive detonator. It had to unravel and is now unravelling fast by instalments.’’

‘’ When its factional leadership under the duo of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola parachuted into the party like thoughtless and planless commandos, and hijacked the party in violent violation of its constitutional stipulations regarding leadership succession, and in disregard of the rule of law, the ADC set its own date with destiny.”

The ruling party argued that the ADC has nothing to offer beyond its baseless attacks on the APC, adding that targeting the APC appears to be the party’s main focus and guiding principle.

Tight security at INEC hqrs

There was a heavy deployment of security operatives at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, as tensions escalated over the deepening leadership crisis within the ADC.

All the entry and exit points to the commission’s Maitama office were effectively locked down, with security personnel restricting movement in and around the premises.

Security operatives drawn from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the State Security Service were stationed at the facility to monitor developments and prevent possible clashes between rival protest groups.

Meanwhile, protests by members and supporters of the ADC and allied groups were mobilised at the INEC office following a social media campaign under the #OccupyINEC.

A group of youths, operating under the banner of the “Concerned Nigeria Youth Forum,” gathered at the commission in solidarity with the decision to delist Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s list of political party leaders.

Carrying a large banner that read, “For a Credible Process in the Best Interest of Nigeria,” the protesters marched through nearby roads, chanting slogans and calling on INEC to uphold its commitment to credible elections.

The protesters were intercepted by policemen near the INEC headquarters.

In a related development, another group, the National Opposition Movement, wrote to the Federal Road Safety Corps, requesting “traffic control and escort support for a planned peaceful protest on 2 April, 2026.”

In the letter signed by its leader, Kasimu Maigari, the group stated: “The National Opposition Movement wishes to formally notify your office and respectfully request the support of the Federal Road Safety Corps in providing traffic control and escort services for a planned peaceful protest scheduled for Thursday in Abuja.’’ (The PUNCH)

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