A storm is brewing at the heart of Nigeria’s electoral system as prominent legal scholar, Chidi Odinkalu, has leveled explosive allegations against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, claiming he was effectively compromised before assuming office.
In a scathing post on X late Wednesday, Odinkalu alleged that Amupitan signed an undated resignation letter as a precondition for his appointment, a move he says has now been weaponized to coerce the electoral umpire into controversial decisions.
“I have it on the most impeccable authority that there is a pre-signed resignation letter by Chairman Amupitan,” Odinkalu wrote. “It was a precondition for his appointment… The threat of releasing it did the magic.”
The allegation strikes at the core of INEC’s credibility, suggesting that the commission’s recent withdrawal of recognition from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership under Senator David Mark may not have been an independent decision, but one forced under duress.
A 60-Hour Timeline That Raises Questions
Odinkalu pointed to what he described as a suspicious chain of events leading up to INEC’s decision. According to him, the commission acted roughly 60 hours after high-level meetings involving the Presidency, as well as senior figures in the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court.
He argued that such timing was far from coincidental, implying coordinated pressure on the electoral body.
Even more troubling, he said, was INEC’s decision to interpret a judgment of the Court of Appeal rather than seek clarification from the judiciary.
“It is not the business of INEC to interpret the decision of the Court of Appeal,” Odinkalu insisted. “Any commission acting in good faith would have returned to the court for proper interpretation.”
2027 Elections Under Threat
Beyond the immediate ADC leadership tussle, Odinkalu warned that the implications of the alleged compromise could be far-reaching, potentially undermining Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He alleged a creeping alliance involving INEC, elements within the judiciary, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) aimed at shrinking the political space.
According to him, the only opposition party that may be allowed to operate meaningfully is the Peoples Democratic Partt (PDP), which he linked to the political influence of Nyesom Wike.
“That will not be much of an election,” Odinkalu warned, painting a grim picture of a managed democracy where genuine competition is stifled.
Credibility on the Line
While INEC has yet to respond to the allegations, the claims, if proven, could trigger a constitutional crisis and further erode public trust in Nigeria’s already fragile electoral system.
At stake is not just the fate of the ADC leadership dispute, but the integrity of the institution responsible for safeguarding the nation’s democracy.
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