The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has hit back at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman Joash Amupitan, telling him "you are not the court." The rebuke follows comments Amupitan made during an Arise TV interview, where he questioned the timing and legality of the party's planned congresses and convention. ADC National Secretary Ima Niboro stated that Amupitan overstepped by commenting on internal party affairs, stressing that the commission has no authority to dictate when a political party holds its meetings. Niboro said the party's activities are in line with its constitution and relevant electoral laws. The ADC insists its planned congresses are lawful and internal matters, not subject to INEC's approval or public commentary. The exchange has sparked debate over the boundaries between electoral oversight and political party autonomy.
For a man meant to be neutral, Joash Amupitan's public critique of ADC's congress plans looks more like political meddling than electoral guidance. By stepping into the internal affairs of a party, he risks eroding the very impartiality INEC is expected to uphold. This matters because when the umpire starts commenting on the players' moves, the game no longer looks fair. For Nigerian voters, it raises concerns about whether INEC can remain truly independent when political tensions rise.
