The African Democratic Congress (ADC) caucus in the House of Representatives has called for the immediate removal and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, citing allegations of partisanship ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a communiqué issued on Monday after a meeting in Abuja, the caucus said recent actions and statements allegedly linked to Amupitan have raised serious concerns about his ability to serve as a neutral umpire. The lawmakers specifically referenced an X account alleged to belong to the INEC chairman, where posts expressing support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and content alleging “Christian genocide in Nigeria” were said to have appeared.
While INEC has denied that Prof Amupitan owns the account, the caucus argued that digital forensic analysis and other online investigations suggest the account is indeed his, with the phone number used to create it reportedly registered in his name. “This has raised concerns regarding his transparency, integrity, and trustworthiness, particularly given the critical nature of the office he holds,” the statement read.
The caucus warned that such inconsistencies compromise the credibility of INEC and threaten the integrity of the 2027 polls. “In light of these concerns regarding impartiality and integrity, the House caucus hereby calls for the removal of Prof Amupitan from office and advocates for his prosecution, in order to safeguard the nation against an avoidable descent into undemocratic practices,” it stated.
INEC has dismissed the allegations. Speaking on Channels Television’s _The Morning Brief_ on Monday, the commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, said there was no verified forensic evidence linking the chairman to the post. “Even though we are seeing that some guys have carried out a forensic investigation on that account, as we speak, there is no verified forensic evidence linking the chairman to the post,” Bayode said.
The ADC caucus linked its demand to a deepening leadership crisis within the party, which it blamed partly on INEC’s handling of the dispute. The lawmakers said former Senate President David Mark had previously been acknowledged by INEC as the authentic leader of the ADC, with documentation including an affidavit from the commission to support that position. However, they claimed INEC’s subsequent withdrawal of that recognition and its stance on a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala has fueled internal divisions, legal battles, and uncertainty over the party’s structure.
According to the caucus, INEC’s intervention amounts to interference in an internal party matter and could ultimately deny the ADC the opportunity to field candidates in 2027. “The commission seems to be recognising an illegitimate leadership faction, contrary to the authentic leadership of Senator David Mark, which had previously been acknowledged and certified by INEC itself,” the communiqué noted.
The lawmakers further alleged collusion between “certain individuals within the judiciary and INEC” to influence the outcome of a case slated for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, on the ADC leadership question. They said plans have been concluded to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate judges accused of partisan conduct, citing recent remarks by Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe, SAN, on political patronage eroding public trust in the judiciary.
The caucus expressed alarm over what it described as declining public confidence in both electoral and judicial institutions. Referencing respected jurists of the past such as Chukwudifu Oputa, Niki Tobi, Kayode Eso, and Mohammed Uwais, the lawmakers said the current trend of “questionable judgments, contradictory interim decisions, and overt judicial overreach” was disturbing.
“We are compelled to act in response to the existential threat to our democracy,” the statement added, urging Nigerians to transcend partisan divisions to rescue the country’s faltering democratic process.
The INEC chairman has not personally responded to the latest calls for his removal. The Supreme Court is expected to hear a related appeal on the ADC leadership dispute today.
