ADC Demands INEC Chairman’s Resignation Over Alleged Pro-APC Tweet, Raises Electoral Integrity Concerns

Opposition party warns alleged partisanship threatens credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process

📚 Get "Spend Less, Save More" — Click here

By Umar Baba | Abuja, Nigeria

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joah Amupitan, over an alleged pro-APC social media post, warning that the controversy could undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

The party described the development as a serious threat to public trust in the nation’s democratic institutions.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the neutrality of the electoral umpire must be beyond question in any democratic setting.

According to him, the credibility of elections depends not only on institutional independence but also on the perception of impartiality by the public.

“He must not only be independent, but he must also be seen, beyond any reasonable doubt, to be independent. That is the minimum standard required of anyone entrusted with the sacred duty of conducting free and fair elections,” Abdullahi stated.

Allegations of Digital Manipulation
The ADC spokesperson expressed concern over what he described as attempts to tamper with digital records linked to the alleged tweet, warning that such actions could erode accountability.

He argued that any effort to erase evidence of past political alignment raises fundamental questions about the credibility of the electoral body’s leadership.

📚 Get "Spend Less, Save More" — Click here

“A man who manipulates records to save himself cannot be trusted to safeguard the mandate of millions,” he added.

Call for Immediate Resignation
Abdullahi maintained that the alleged conduct falls below the standards expected of an electoral umpire, insisting that Prof. Amupitan should step down.

“The referee cannot be running around in the shirt of one of the teams he’s supposed to officiate,” he said, stressing that anything short of resignation would set a dangerous precedent.

Threat of Further Action
The ADC said it would rely on the alleged evidence to update petitions to relevant institutions, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and international stakeholders.

The party also signalled plans to escalate civil disobedience actions if its demands are not met.

The controversy adds to growing political tensions ahead of future elections, with stakeholders increasingly calling for transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s electoral system.

Observers say how the matter is addressed could significantly impact public confidence in the credibility of upcoming polls.