The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) don reject calls wey dey ask make dia Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, resign, as dem describe am as direct attack on the independence of the commission.
For statement wey dem release Thursday night for Abuja, INEC Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, talk say the allegations from some political actors say the Chairman dey show bias no get any proof.
The wahala start after INEC follow recent Court of Appeal judgment.
According to the statement, INEC talk say na constitution create the commission, and the appointment, tenure and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners dey guided strictly by law.
“Chairman no dey work for any political party or interest group. Any call make e comot outside constitutional process na attack on electoral body independence,” INEC talk.
INEC explain say dem follow the Court of Appeal judgment to avoid problem wey don happen before for places like Zamfara and Plateau states, where court remove elected officials after the commission no obey court order.
Dem also warn say if dem act against Federal High Court directive, e for disturb ongoing legal matters.
On top allegation say dem dey weaken multi-party system, INEC deny am and talk say dem recently register new political parties like Democratic Leadership Alliance, Nigeria Democratic Congress and National Democratic Party, making total number of active parties reach 22.
“INEC na neutral body, we no be political player,” the commission add.
For the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC explain say the plan no start under Amupitan, and say na normal administrative process.
Dem say the exercise go happen for all Local Government Areas and polling units to verify voters, remove double registration and clean names of dead people from the register.
ADC Call for Resignation
This reaction from INEC come after African Democratic Congress (ADC) call make Prof. Amupitan resign immediately.
ADC National Chairman, David Mark, talk during press conference for Abuja say the party no get confidence again for INEC, accusing the commission of bias and breaking democratic rules.
Mark claim say INEC recent actions no follow law and say dem interfere for party internal matter, including withdrawal of recognition for party leadership.
He also accuse President Bola Tinubu government say dem dey try weaken opposition parties ahead of 2027 elections, saying na plan to make ruling party continue to dominate despite security and economic challenges.
INEC, however, stand gidigba say dem go continue to operate based on law and remain neutral for Nigeria political process.
