The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Amupitan, citing doubts about his neutrality and the credibility of the electoral process.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Why Amupitan Must Resign Now,” the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, described reports linking the INEC Chairman to a pro-Bola Ahmed Tinubu tweet from 2023 as “a grave affront to the integrity of our electoral system.”
The ADC stressed that an electoral umpire must not only be independent but must also be perceived as such beyond any reasonable doubt. It also raised alarm over alleged attempts to tamper with or erase digital records tied to the controversy, calling it “a calculated assault on truth and accountability.”
According to the statement, anyone who manipulates records for personal protection cannot be trusted with safeguarding the will of millions. Abdullahi argued that Professor Amupitan’s actions, remarks, and emerging digital evidence fall short of the standards expected of someone tasked with conducting free and fair elections.
The party likened the situation to “a referee wearing the jersey of one of the teams he is meant to officiate.” It therefore insisted that the INEC Chairman must step down immediately, warning that failure to do so would amount to an insult to Nigerians and set a dangerous precedent for democracy.
ADC further disclosed plans to update its petitions to relevant bodies, including foreign governments and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), while vowing to intensify its civil disobedience actions until the INEC Chairman resigns.
Anyone who alters records to protect himself cannot be relied upon to defend the mandate of millions.
In recent days, it has become increasingly clear—through his actions, statements, and undeniable digital evidence—that Professor Amupitan has fallen well short of the standard expected of an electoral umpire. A referee cannot officiate a match while wearing the jersey of one of the competing teams.
For this reason, Professor Amupitan must step down immediately.
Anything less would be an affront to Nigerians and a dangerous precedent for the country’s democracy. Based on the available evidence, ADC will update its petitions to all relevant institutions, including foreign governments and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The party also vowed to resume and intensify its civil disobedience actions until the INEC Chairman vacates office.
