ADC Demands Immediate Sack of INEC Chairman Over Leadership De-Recognition

By PressNGR News Desk
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, following the electoral body’s controversial decision to de-recognise the party’s leadership.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, April 2, the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, accused INEC of acting unlawfully and declared that the commission could no longer be trusted to conduct a free, fair, and credible electoral process.
The development comes after INEC, on Wednesday, announced the de-recognition of some top officials of the party, including National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and other key figures.
According to a statement issued by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission said its action was taken in compliance with a court order directing it to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter before the trial court.
However, reacting strongly to the move, Mark described the action as a direct attack on democratic opposition and an attempt to weaken the ADC ahead of critical off-cycle governorship elections.
In his address, he said the decision by INEC raises serious concerns about the independence of the electoral body and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
“Right now, I speak to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. I also speak directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: with 90 per cent of the National Assembly and over 30 of Nigeria’s 36 governors in the APC, President Tinubu, what are you afraid of?” Mark said.
He further questioned the Federal Government’s commitment to democratic principles, insisting that any effort to destabilise opposition parties amounts to a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
“If you are convinced that you have done well for the people who voted for you, why are you afraid of a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest? If you are indeed the democrat that you claim to be, why are you bent on destroying all opposition political parties?” he asked.
Mark also warned that the electoral commission’s action could have immediate political consequences, particularly for the party’s preparations ahead of the Osun and Ekiti governorship elections scheduled to hold later this year.
According to him, the move to alter the party’s recognised leadership structure could significantly affect the ADC’s ability to participate effectively in the forthcoming polls.
“It is important to state the net implications of this decision taken by INEC, in case they had not thought of it, or they just do not care. First, by attempting to subvert the leadership of the ADC, INEC has already undermined our participation in the Osun and Ekiti elections taking place later this year,” he added.
The ADC maintained that the commission’s decision is not only politically dangerous but also capable of eroding public confidence in the electoral system if not reversed immediately.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not issued any further clarification beyond its earlier statement.