The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Prof Joash Amupitan has reiterated that no political party can remove him from office.
Amupitan in a statement on issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary Adedayo Oketola in reaction to the call by the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the ouster of the INEC boss condemned the call and described it as “is not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.”
The embattled National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark had at a press conference while calling for the sack of Amupitan accused INEC of working in cahoots with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to foist a one-party state on Nigeria.
However, INEC maintained that its chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group.
According to Amupitan, “While the Commission recognises the right of stakeholders to express their views, it is imperative to clarify that INEC is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” the statement partly reads.
Speaking on the stand of INEC on the Appeal Court ruling on ADC leadership, the INEC boss said, “While a political party or a group is allowed to protect their interest, the Commission decided to comply with the Judgment of the Court of Appeal to avert a situation that occurred in Zamfara State and Plateau State where elected officials were removed by the Election Tribunal on account of the disobedience of Court Judgment.
“In addition, the Commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory.
“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the Originating Summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party.
“Additionally, it was only on the 9th of September 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s Exco, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court
The current register includes data spanning from 2011 to 2024. This exercise is designed to sanitise the register and is to be executed in phases.
“The revalidation is intended to confirm the status of registered voters, address issues arising from transfers, multiple registrations and deceased persons, and enhance the reliability of voter data in Nigeria.
“It is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration. It is not targeted at any region, party, or demographic.
“It is a uniform, transparent process that will be conducted across all Local Government Areas and Polling Units, with robust digital options for ease of access. All the stakeholders will be carried along on this issue.”