ADC Reps Demand INEC Chairman Amupitan’s Sack Over Alleged Partisanship

The African Democratic Congress caucus in the House of Representatives has demanded the immediate removal and prosecution of INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan, accusing him of partisanship and actions that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The call was made public on Monday by the caucus leader, Afam Ogene, who read the resolution after a meeting of the group in Abuja. Ogene said recent statements and actions attributed to Amupitan had cast doubt on his ability to serve as a neutral umpire.

At the heart of the matter is an X (formerly Twitter) account allegedly belonging to Amupitan, which posted content expressing support for the ruling APC and alleging Christian genocide in Nigeria. INEC has denied the account belongs to the chairman, but the ADC caucus says digital forensic analysis and online investigations suggest otherwise, including that the phone number linked to the account is registered in Amupitan’s name.

The David Mark Leadership Crisis

Beyond the social media allegations, the caucus raised alarm over INEC’s handling of the ADC’s internal leadership dispute. Former Senate President David Mark had previously been recognised by INEC as the authentic leader of the party, a position backed by documentation including an affidavit issued by the commission itself.

INEC subsequently withdrew that recognition, alongside that of a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala, triggering legal battles and confusion over who legitimately leads the ADC heading into 2027.

Ogene accused INEC of abdicating its role as an impartial arbiter and instead intervening in the party’s internal affairs. “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,” he said.

Judiciary Also in the Crosshairs

The caucus went further, alleging that elements within INEC and the judiciary are collaborating to influence the outcome of a court case scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, regarding the ADC leadership question.

“Credible information at our disposal suggests that certain individuals within the judiciary and INEC are collaborating to influence the outcome of a case coming up on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, regarding the leadership question in the ADC,” Ogene said.

The lawmakers warned they would petition the National Judicial Council to investigate judges accused of partisan conduct, referencing recent remarks by NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, about politically exposed judicial officers.

What This Means for 2027

The demand adds another layer of tension to an already volatile pre-election landscape. If the ADC is unable to field candidates due to the leadership crisis, it could shrink the opposition space and change the calculus in several states where the party has built a following.

INEC has not yet responded to the specific allegations from the ADC caucus, but the commission has previously defended Amupitan’s impartiality. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has also weighed in, describing the controversial tweet as “neutral.”

Sources: Punch, TheCable, BusinessDay, Premium Times