The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on Professor Joash Amupitan to resign as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning it may embark on civil disobedience if he remains in office.
The opposition party renewed its criticism of Amupitan following fresh allegations questioning his neutrality, adding to its earlier stance that the electoral chief has failed to meet expected standards.
Amupitan has recently come under scrutiny over claims linked to past social media posts, which allegedly suggest a bias in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In response to the controversy, Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, had earlier cautioned the public about impersonators and cybercriminals spreading false information through fake accounts. He reiterated that the commission under Amupitan remains committed to delivering free, fair, and credible elections, urging Nigerians to rely on official communication channels.
The debate intensified after US-based Nigerian academic Farooq Kperogi published a column alleging that archived posts from an X account bearing Amupitan’s name indicated pro-APC leanings, including remarks seen as supportive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Kperogi argued that such revelations could erode public trust in INEC’s impartiality and called for the chairman’s resignation.
The publication sparked widespread reactions online, with Nigerians divided over the authenticity and implications of the alleged posts.
Reacting on Saturday, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi described the development as deeply troubling, saying it raises serious concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
He stated that in a democracy, the electoral umpire must not only be independent but must also be seen to be so beyond doubt, stressing that anything short of this undermines public confidence.
Abdullahi further alleged attempts to alter digital records tied to the controversy, describing it as a deliberate effort to distort facts and evade accountability.
According to him, the accumulation of allegations and evidence suggests that Amupitan has fallen short of the standards required of someone overseeing elections, insisting that his continued stay in office would damage democratic integrity.
He said the party would escalate its actions, including updating petitions to relevant institutions such as foreign bodies and the Nigerian Bar Association.
Abdullahi added that the ADC is prepared to intensify civil disobedience until Amupitan steps down, warning that anything less would set a dangerous precedent for the country’s democracy.
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