By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls by some political actors demanding the removal of its chairman, insisting that such demands are unconstitutional and undermine the independence of the nation’s electoral body.
The commission also clarified misconceptions surrounding its proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise, stating that the initiative is a routine administrative process aimed at strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s voter register.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission said the calls for the removal of its chairman, Joash O. Amupitan, followed the commission’s decision to comply with a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal.
INEC emphasised that its actions were guided strictly by the provisions of the law and the need to uphold judicial authority.
According to the commission, its establishment, leadership appointment, tenure and removal processes are clearly defined under Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” the commission stated.
INEC explained that its decision to comply with the Court of Appeal judgment was informed by the need to avoid situations similar to those witnessed in the aftermath of elections in Zamfara State and Plateau State, where elected officials were removed by election tribunals due to the disobedience of court orders.
The commission also noted that it refrained from monitoring the congress and convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by David Mark in order to comply with a preservative order issued by the court.
According to the commission, monitoring the meeting would have amounted to disobedience of the court order, as part of the reliefs sought in the suit included restraining INEC from monitoring any congress, meeting or convention of the party.
INEC further explained that it had earlier approved the executive committee led by David Mark on September 9, 2025, seven days after the case was filed at the Federal High Court, stressing that the directive to maintain status quo ante bellum required the commission to revert to the position of the parties before the dispute began.
“It is either that INEC obeys the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuses to obey it. Section 287(2) of the Constitution mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such judgment,” the commission said.
The electoral body also dismissed claims that it was promoting a one-party system, noting that under the leadership of Professor Amupitan, the democratic space had in fact expanded.
INEC pointed to the recent registration of new political parties, including the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), which it said had increased the total number of active political parties in the country to 22.
“Far from undermining the multi-party system, the Commission has continued to expand the democratic space. INEC remains a neutral regulator, not a participant in political competition,” the statement noted.
On the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, the commission clarified that the initiative predates the current chairman and is aimed at strengthening the credibility of the National Register of Voters.
INEC explained that the register currently contains data spanning from 2011 to 2024 and requires periodic verification to address issues such as transfers, multiple registrations and the removal of deceased persons.
The commission stressed that the exercise is not a fresh voter registration but an administrative audit designed to confirm the status of registered voters and improve the reliability of voter data.
“It is not targeted at any region, party or demographic group. It is a uniform and transparent process that will be conducted across all Local Government Areas and Polling Units, with robust digital options for ease of access,” the commission said, adding that all stakeholders would be carried along in the process.
INEC further stated that its immediate focus remains the successful conduct of upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State scheduled for June 2026 and Osun State scheduled for August 2026.
The commission maintained that it would not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations of collusion or bias, stressing that its allegiance remains solely to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people.
While acknowledging that some of its decisions may not always align with the interests of certain political parties, INEC insisted that its actions are guided strictly by the rule of law and the legal framework governing elections in Nigeria.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible and inclusive, describing the calls for the resignation of Professor Amupitan as misplaced and without constitutional basis.
