RismadarVoice Reporters, April 3, 2026
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has dismissed calls for his removal, describing them as a direct assault on the independence of the electoral body.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan said any demand for his removal outside the constitutional process is not only a distraction, but also undermines the autonomy of the commission.
The statement noted that while political parties and groups are free to protect their interests, INEC acted in compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment to avoid situations similar to those in Zamfara and Plateau states, where elected officials were removed by election tribunals for disobeying court orders.
It added that monitoring the congress and convention of the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) would amount to disobedience to a court order.
According to the commission, the originating summons and other court filings specifically sought an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress or convention of the party.
