The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected calls by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the resignation of its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan. The ADC, led by National Chairman David Mark, demanded Amupitan's removal during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, accusing him of partisan conduct. This followed INEC's decision to remove ADC leaders from its portal, a move the commission said was in compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment. A statement signed by INEC's Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, affirmed that the Chairman's appointment and removal are governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and cannot be dictated by political parties.
INEC stressed that obeying court orders was necessary to avoid a repeat of situations in Zamfara and Plateau States, where elected officials lost their positions due to non-compliance with judicial rulings. The commission also cited a preservation order from the Federal High Court restraining it from monitoring any ADC meetings or conventions. It noted that David Mark's executive committee was approved on September 9, 2025, seven days after the legal suit was filed. INEC emphasized that maintaining the status quo ante bellum is a legal obligation under Section 287(2) of the Constitution. The commission highlighted the recent registration of three new parties—Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and National Democratic Party (NDP)—raising the total number of active parties to 22.
David Mark's attempt to pressure INEC into taking sides in an internal party dispute exposes the fragility of some political formations. By framing a court-directed administrative action as bias, the ADC chairman undermines the very judicial processes he claims to uphold. INEC's refusal to cave sets a precedent: party quarrels will not override court orders or constitutional mandates. For Nigerian voters, this means electoral integrity still has a shield, however tested.
