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The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to recent public statements by political actors alleging partisan bias, calling for the removal of the Commission’s chairperson due to the Commission’s decision to obey the recent Court of Appeal ruling.
While the Commission recognizes the right of stakeholders to express their views, it is critical to clarify that INEC is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The appointment, tenure and removal of the President and National Commissioners are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The President does not hold office at the behest of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside of the established constitutional process is not only a distraction but a direct attack on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.
While a political party or group may protect its interests, the Commission decided to comply with the Court of Appeal ruling to avoid a situation that occurred in Zamfara and Plateau States, where elected officials were removed by the Electoral Tribunal due to disobedience to the Court ruling.
Furthermore, the Commission did not want to disobey the court’s conservatorship order not to do anything or take any action that would render the cases already filed in the Federal High Court useless. Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to disobedience of that order as the relief sought in the subpoena and other court cases filed includes an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meetings, congresses and conventions of the party.
Furthermore, it was only on 9 September 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s Exco, seven days after the matter was filed in the Federal High Court.
The order to maintain the status quo ante bellum means the position of the parties before the start of hostilities. The problem is that INEC either fully obeys the Court of Appeal order or refuses to obey it. Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria requires every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce that judgment.
Far from weakening the multi-party system, the Commission led by Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has actively expanded the democratic space. The recent registration and recognition of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), bringing the total number of active political parties to 22, is an empirical refutation to any claim of a one-party agenda. INEC remains a neutral regulator, not a participant in political competition.
The Commission’s updates on the background of the party leadership are strictly anchored on compliance with court orders and statutory requirements existing under the Electoral Act 2026. INEC will not be involved in the internal conflict of political parties, nor will it allow itself to be used as a proxy to resolve organizational challenges belonging to the parties themselves, especially when the Court of Appeal has ordered that the matter be granted an expedited hearing.
The Commission also noted an attempt to politicize the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise. The decision to renew the voters’ register predates the appointment of Professor Amupitan. The proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Voters Register. The current registry includes data spanning from 2011 to 2024. This exercise is designed to clean the registry and should be performed in phases.
The revalidation is intended to confirm the status of registered voters, address issues arising from relocations, multiple registrations and deceased persons, and improve the reliability of voter data in Nigeria. This is an administrative audit, not a new registration. It is not aimed at any region, party or demographic group. This is a uniform and transparent process that will be conducted across all local government areas and electoral units, with robust digital options for easy access. All stakeholders will be brought forward on this issue.
The Commission is currently focused on the surgical precision required for the upcoming off-cycle elections in Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026). We will not be distracted by unfounded accusations of collusion or bias. Our loyalty remains exclusively to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people.
The Commission understands that some decisions may be challenging and not always in line with the interests of individual parties. However, the Commission is committed to promoting an electoral environment where transparency and fairness prevail. The decisions taken by INEC are based on thorough assessments and are in line with the legal framework governing our operations, including adherence to the rule of law. They are intended to ensure free, fair and credible elections, which ultimately serve the interests of all stakeholders within our democracy, rather than specific political entities.
Finally, INEC remains committed to ensuring free, fair, credible and inclusive elections. The call for Professor Amupitan’s resignation is therefore out of place.
SIGNED AND:
Adedayo Oketola
Head of press office of the president of INEC
Abuja
