Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is facing mounting backlash following its decision to derecognise key leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), sparking accusations of political bias and fresh concerns over the country’s democratic integrity.
Opposition figures, including former Senate President David Mark, condemned the move, alleging that INEC was acting under the influence of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). They demanded the immediate removal of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, citing a loss of confidence in the commission’s ability to conduct credible elections.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Mark described the decision as an attack on democratic freedoms, warning that it could undermine political pluralism ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We no longer have confidence in the current leadership of INEC. Their actions suggest a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition parties,” he said.
The controversy stems from INEC’s announcement on Wednesday that it would no longer recognise the ADC’s National Working Committee led by Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, citing a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of an ongoing leadership dispute.
However, INEC swiftly rejected calls for the chairman’s removal, insisting its leadership structure and operations are constitutionally protected.
In a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary Adedayo Oketola, the commission emphasised that the appointment and removal of its officials are governed strictly by the 1999 Constitution.
“Any call for removal outside the constitutional process is a direct assault on the independence of the electoral body,” the commission stated.
INEC defended its actions as compliance with judicial orders, noting that failure to adhere to the Court of Appeal ruling could trigger a repeat of past electoral crises in states like Zamfara and Plateau, where court judgments led to the removal of elected officials.
The commission further clarified that recognising the Mark-led faction would amount to disobedience of a subsisting court order, stressing its commitment to due process and neutrality.
Despite the backlash, INEC dismissed allegations of promoting a one-party system, pointing to the recent registration of additional political parties as evidence of its support for multi-party democracy.
The ADC crisis, which began in 2025 following leadership disputes involving former chairman Ralph Nwosu, has since escalated into multiple court battles, deepening uncertainty within the party and raising concerns about its readiness for upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) urged INEC to exercise caution in handling internal party disputes, warning that missteps could erode public confidence in the electoral process.
The council also raised concerns over the timing of INEC’s proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise, cautioning that it could overstretch political stakeholders and risk disenfranchising voters if not properly managed.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticised the commission’s actions, describing them as politically charged and capable of overheating the nation’s already tense political climate.
On its part, the APC dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting that the ADC’s crisis was self-inflicted and rooted in internal leadership struggles rather than external interference.
Amid rising tensions, security was heightened at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, with operatives from multiple agencies deployed to prevent clashes as protesters mobilised under the #OccupyINEC campaign.
While some groups demonstrated in support of INEC’s decision, others planned protests against the commission, reflecting deepening divisions within Nigeria’s political landscape.
Despite the controversy, INEC reaffirmed its focus on upcoming off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states, maintaining that its decisions remain guided by the Constitution and the rule of law.