INEC Rejects Calls for Chairman’s Removal, Defends Voter Revalidation Exercise

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls for the removal of its Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, describing such demands as unconstitutional and a threat to the independence of Nigeria’s electoral system.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission said its recent actions were guided strictly by the rule of law, particularly its compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment.

INEC emphasised that the appointment, tenure, and removal of its Chairman and National Commissioners are governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, stressing that no political party or interest group has the authority to dictate leadership changes outside constitutional provisions.

The Commission explained that its decision not to monitor the congress and convention of the faction of the African Democratic Congress ADC led by former Senate President David Mark was based on subsisting court orders. It noted that both the Court of Appeal ruling and a preservative order from the Federal High Court restrained it from taking actions that could undermine ongoing legal proceedings.

According to INEC, monitoring the faction’s activities under such circumstances would amount to disobedience of valid court directives. It added that the order to maintain the status quo ante bellum required strict adherence to the legal position before the dispute escalated.

The Commission said its stance was also informed by past experiences in Zamfara and Plateau states, where failure to comply with court judgments led to the nullification of electoral victories.

Responding to allegations of promoting a one party system, INEC pointed to the recent registration of three new political parties, the Democratic Leadership Alliance DLA, Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC, and National Democratic Party NDP, bringing the total number of active political parties in Nigeria to 22.

INEC maintained that updates to party leadership records are based solely on court orders and provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, insisting it would not interfere in internal party disputes.

On the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, the Commission clarified that the initiative is not a fresh voter registration but an administrative audit aimed at strengthening the integrity of the National Register of Voters.

It explained that the exercise, which predates the appointment of the current Chairman, is designed to clean up voter data collected between 2011 and 2024 by addressing issues such as multiple registrations, transfers, and records of deceased persons.

The Commission assured that the revalidation process would be conducted nationwide across all polling units, with digital options to ease participation, and would not target any region, political party, or demographic group.

INEC further stated that it remains focused on preparations for the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 2026 and the Osun governorship election in August 2026, adding that it would not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations.

Reaffirming its commitment to electoral integrity and constitutional order, the Commission said calls for the resignation of its Chairman are misplaced, reiterating that its allegiance remains to the Constitution and the Nigerian people.