A pressure group on amplified demands for the resignation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Joash Ojo Amupitan, accusing him of meddling in opposition party affairs and undermining democratic fairness.
Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN) issued a strongly worded statement in the capital, alleging that Amupitan’s actions have eroded public trust and favored the ruling party.
Spokesperson Aisha Bello cited instances of INEC’s involvement in leadership disputes within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), including conflicting faction recognitions and selective meeting invitations.
“The Constitution is clear on the limits of INEC’s powers. Regulating elections does not include acting as an arbiter in the internal governance of political parties,” the group stated.
OWN further warned that such interference threatens political pluralism and could prejudice upcoming polls, adding: “An umpire perceived as partisan cannot guarantee free and fair elections.”
The call references Supreme Court rulings that have criticized INEC for overstepping into party nomination processes. OWN described Amupitan’s position as “untenable” and appealed to civil society, media outlets, and the international community to advocate for accountability.
The controversy has drawn rebuttals, with Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sebastine Hon labeling similar demands — including from the Sharia Council of Nigeria — as “cheap blackmail” and constitutionally flawed.
Hon emphasized that the chairman can only be removed through a formal process involving President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, accusing critics of attempting to coerce the executive into violating the 1999 Constitution.
OWN urged political parties to handle internal matters according to their own rules without external intrusion, arguing that persistent meddling tilts the electoral landscape unfairly. The group highlighted that unchecked bias risks diminishing confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
