ADC Reps Caucus Demands Sack, Prosecution of INEC Chair Over Alleged Partisanship
The caucus of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the House of Representatives has called for the immediate removal and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, over allegations of partisanship ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics Nigeria reports that the lawmakers made their position known on Monday in Abuja after a closed-door meeting.
The resolution was read by the caucus leader, Afam Ogene, who said recent developments had raised serious concerns about the neutrality of the electoral umpire.
According to him, the actions and alleged public comments linked to Amupitan have cast doubt on his ability to conduct a credible election in 2027.
He said the integrity of the commission must not be compromised at such a critical time in the country’s democratic journey.
“The caucus raised concerns regarding the impartiality and neutrality of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan, to oversee a free, fair, and credible 2027 general elections.
“This follows recent public statements and actions by the chairman that have been deemed compromising, partisan, and conflicted.
“It has been alleged that he previously made a partisan statement on his personal X account, wherein he expressed support for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Additionally, he has been accused of posting content alleging Christian genocide in Nigeria.
“Although INEC has denied that Prof Amupitan is the owner of the X account in question, digital forensic analysis and other online investigations by various sources suggest that the account is indeed his and that the phone number used to create it is registered in his name.
“This has raised concerns regarding his transparency, integrity, and trustworthiness, particularly given the critical nature of the office he holds, which will have far-reaching implications for the nation,” Ogene said.
The caucus insisted that the situation, if left unchecked, could damage public confidence in the electoral process. It warned that Nigeria cannot afford any controversy around the leadership of INEC as preparations for the next general elections begin to gather pace.
“In light of these inconsistencies and concerns regarding impartiality and integrity, the House caucus, on Monday, April 13, 2026, hereby calls for the removal of Prof Amupitan from office and advocates for his prosecution, to safeguard the nation against an avoidable descent into undemocratic practices,” he added.
The demand is coming amid a worsening internal crisis within the ADC, which the lawmakers blamed on INEC’s recent decisions.
At the centre of the dispute is the leadership tussle involving former Senate President, David Mark. The caucus said Mark had earlier been recognised by INEC as the legitimate leader of the party after meeting all necessary conditions, a position supported by official documentation.
However, the commission later withdrew its recognition of both Mark and a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala. This move, according to the lawmakers, triggered confusion and deepened divisions within the party.
They argued that INEC’s involvement in what they described as an internal party matter has worsened the crisis and may eventually prevent the ADC from participating in the 2027 elections.
“The caucus is gravely concerned about the ostensibly undemocratic action taken by INEC, under the leadership of Prof Amupitan, which appears to deny the ADC the opportunity to participate in the forthcoming elections.
“This is being achieved through the perpetuation of a leadership crisis within the party, whereby INEC has abdicated its responsibility as an impartial arbiter and instead intervened in the party’s internal affairs.
“Specifically, the commission seems to be recognising an illegitimate leadership faction, contrary to the authentic leadership of Senator David Mark, which had previously been acknowledged and certified by INEC itself, having met the requisite criteria, as evidenced by a recent affidavit issued by the commission.
“We note that the commission, in collusion with certain elements within the judiciary, is actively working to undermine the aspirations of the ADC, thereby preventing the party from fielding candidates in the forthcoming elections, through duplicitous means that serve to obstruct inclusivity within the democratic process.
“In fact, credible information at our disposal suggests that certain individuals within the judiciary and INEC are collaborating to influence the outcome of a case coming up on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, regarding the leadership question in the ADC, potentially impacting the recognition of a discredited faction,” Ogene added.
Beyond the electoral body, the caucus also raised fresh concerns about alleged interference from the judiciary in political matters. It warned that steps were already being taken to challenge what it described as partisan conduct among some judicial officers.
