The caucus of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately dismiss and prosecute the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over claims of political bias ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stance was disclosed on Monday in Abuja by caucus leader Afam Ogene, who presented the group’s resolution after a meeting. He said recent conduct and alleged remarks linked to the INEC chairman had raised doubts about his neutrality and fitness to conduct credible elections.
Ogene said the caucus was troubled by what it described as actions and statements suggesting partisan alignment. He alleged that Amupitan once made comments on his personal X account expressing support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he argued compromises the expectation of independence required of the electoral body.
He further claimed the INEC chairman had shared material relating to allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria. Although INEC has denied that Amupitan controls the account in question, Ogene insisted that digital investigations and forensic traces suggest a connection, including claims that the phone number used for registration is tied to him.
According to the caucus, these allegations whether fully proven or not have already weakened public trust in the credibility and openness of the electoral commission’s leadership. They stressed that such concerns are particularly sensitive given INEC’s responsibility for delivering free and fair elections.
Based on these issues, the lawmakers demanded Amupitan’s immediate removal from office and called for legal action against him, insisting it was necessary to protect democratic institutions from further damage.
The dispute has also intensified existing tensions within the ADC, which is already facing internal leadership disagreements. The caucus blamed INEC for aggravating the situation, accusing the commission of interfering in party affairs.
They pointed to former Senate President David Mark, who had earlier been recognised by INEC as the legitimate head of the ADC after meeting required legal conditions. They said this recognition was backed by official records, including an affidavit issued by the commission.
However, they alleged that INEC later reversed its position by withdrawing recognition from both Mark and a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala. Lawmakers said this development has fueled confusion, internal conflict, and court cases over the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 polls.
They also claimed that INEC’s actions risk excluding the ADC from participating effectively in the upcoming elections by sustaining internal disorder within the party.
The caucus further accused the electoral body of abandoning neutrality by becoming involved in intra-party disputes and allegedly favouring certain groups. They also suggested possible coordination between elements within INEC and the judiciary to influence ongoing court proceedings regarding the party’s leadership.
In addition to concerns about INEC, the lawmakers raised wider alarm over alleged judicial interference in political matters. They said they may escalate the matter by petitioning the National Judicial Council to investigate judges accused of bias, referencing comments made by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe.
The caucus maintained that urgent action is needed to safeguard democratic integrity and ensure that both electoral and judicial institutions remain impartial referees in Nigeria’s political process.
