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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected demands for the resignation or removal of its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, following the commission’s decision to de-recognize David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement issued Thursday night, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, acknowledged stakeholders’ right to voice their concerns but stressed that INEC is a creation of the Nigerian Constitution.

“The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission has been drawn to recent public statements by political actors alleging partisan bias and calling for the removal of the Chairman due to the Commission’s decision to obey a recent Court of Appeal Judgment,” the statement read.

It further explained: “The appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly governed by 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.”

INEC clarified that its compliance with the Court of Appeal’s judgment was meant to avoid a repeat of past crises in Zamfara and Plateau States, where elected officials were removed by election tribunals due to disobedience of court orders. The commission also cited a preservative order restraining it from monitoring any meetings, congresses, or conventions of the Mark-led ADC faction.

“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to disobedience of that order,” the statement added. “It is either INEC obeys the order fully or refuses to obey it. Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution mandates every person and authority in Nigeria to obey and enforce Court of Appeal judgments.”

The commission noted that it had only approved Mark’s executive committee on September 9, 2025—seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court.

Rejecting claims of undermining multiparty democracy, INEC highlighted its recent registration of three new political parties—the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and National Democratic Party (NDP)—bringing the total number of active parties to 22. “This is an empirical rebuttal to any claim of a one-party agenda,” the commission stated.

On the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC said it had noticed attempts to politicize the process, clarifying that the decision predates Prof. Amupitan’s appointment. Described as a professional necessity to strengthen the voter register’s integrity, the exercise will be phased and transparent, targeting all local government areas and polling units equally.

The commission also reaffirmed its focus on the upcoming off-cycle elections in Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026). “We will not be distracted by unfounded allegations of collusion or bias,” the statement read. “Our allegiance remains solely to the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people.”

INEC concluded that while some decisions may not align with individual party interests, they are grounded in the rule of law and aimed at ensuring free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections for all stakeholders.