ADC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, Alleges Plot to Weaken Opposition and Install Tinubu as Sole 2027 Presidential Candidate

 The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate resignation or sacking of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, accusing the electoral umpire of bias and complicity in a scheme to undermine opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Addressing a press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, April 2, 2026, ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark, flanked by prominent opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, described INEC’s recent actions as an assault on Nigeria’s democracy.

The crisis escalated after INEC announced on Wednesday that it had delisted key ADC leaders, including Mark and Aregbesola, from its portal in compliance with a Court of Appeal order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a leadership dispute at the Federal High Court. The party accused INEC of effectively leaving the ADC without recognised leadership, halting its political activities.

Mark alleged that the move forms part of a calculated plot by powerful figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise opposition parties and engineer a one-party state.

“The agenda is very clear: to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people, despite the widespread suffering and wanton killings going on across the country,” Mark stated. He further claimed the plot involves an APC governor collaborating with a senior security official to pressure INEC into recognising an expelled ADC member, Nafiu Bala Gombe, as national chairman.

The ADC declared that it no longer has confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct credible elections and demanded the removal of Professor Amupitan and all National Commissioners.

“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the National Commissioners,” Mark said, adding that the commission’s actions amount to partisanship and undermine public trust in the electoral process.

INEC has defended its decision, insisting it was acting in line with court orders and the rule of law to avoid complications similar to past cases involving elected officials in states like Zamfara and Plateau. The commission dismissed calls for the chairman’s removal as unconstitutional, noting that the appointment and removal of INEC leadership are governed strictly by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and cannot be compelled by any individual or group outside due process.

The development has intensified political tensions as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, with opposition voices raising concerns over the independence of the electoral body and the future of multi-party democracy.