INEC Stands Firm on Leadership, Clarifies Voter Revalidation Plan
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has firmly rejected calls for the removal of its Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, describing such demands as unconstitutional and a threat to the Commission’s independence.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, INEC said the agitation stemmed from its compliance with a recent Court of Appeal judgment, emphasizing that its actions were strictly guided by the rule of law.
The Commission reiterated that it is established by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which clearly outlines the appointment, tenure, and removal of its leadership under Section 157. It stressed that the Chairman cannot be removed at the instance of political actors or pressure groups, warning that any such move outside constitutional provisions undermines the integrity of the electoral body.
Addressing the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), INEC explained that its adherence to the Court of Appeal ruling was necessary to avoid the consequences of disobeying judicial pronouncements. It cited past experiences in Zamfara and Plateau States, where electoral outcomes were nullified due to non-compliance with court orders.
The Commission also noted that a subsisting preservative order barred it from taking actions that could prejudice ongoing proceedings at the Federal High Court, adding that monitoring activities of the David Mark-led faction would have violated that directive.
INEC clarified that it had earlier recognised the David Mark-led Executive Committee in September 2025, prior to the escalation of the dispute, and that maintaining the status quo ante bellum required adherence to that position. It further referenced Section 287(2) of the Constitution, which mandates strict compliance with Court of Appeal judgments.
Dismissing claims that its actions threaten Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, the Commission described such allegations as baseless. It pointed to the recent registration of three additional political parties, bringing the total to 22, as evidence of its commitment to political inclusiveness and democratic expansion.
On the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC cautioned against attempts to politicise what it described as a routine administrative process. The Commission explained that the exercise predates the current leadership and is aimed at improving the credibility of the National Register of Voters, which contains data compiled between 2011 and 2024.
According to INEC, the revalidation will help update voter information, eliminate duplications, account for deceased persons, and address transfer-related issues. It stressed that the process is not a fresh registration but an audit of existing data and will be conducted nationwide using both physical and digital platforms.
The Commission assured that detailed guidelines for the exercise would be released in due course, with full stakeholder engagement.
INEC also disclosed that it is concentrating on preparations for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 2026 and the Osun State governorship election in August 2026, reaffirming its resolve to remain focused despite what it described as unfounded allegations.
Reaffirming its commitment to neutrality and the rule of law, the Commission maintained that calls for the Chairman’s resignation are misplaced, pledging to continue delivering credible, transparent, and inclusive elections across the country
