ABUJA — Nigeria’s electoral body has been plunged into fresh controversy following explosive allegations that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, acted under duress in issuing a directive affecting the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
INEC had announced on Wednesday that it would remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively, citing an ongoing leadership dispute before the courts.
The Commission also declared it would suspend recognition of any faction within the party pending the final determination of the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The decision was conveyed in a statement signed by National Commissioner, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who heads the Information and Voter Education Committee.
INEC said its action was based on “preservatory orders” issued by the Court of Appeal in a case involving Senator Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
However, in a dramatic twist, prominent human rights lawyer and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, alleged late Wednesday that the Commission’s decision followed intense pressure from powerful interests.
Writing on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Odinkalu claimed that a pre-signed resignation letter allegedly tied to Amupitan’s appointment was used as leverage to compel the INEC Chairman to act.
“I have it on the most impeccable authority that there is a pre-signed resignation letter by Chairman Amupitan. It was a pre-condition for his appointment,” Odinkalu stated. “The threat of releasing it did the magic.”
He further alleged that a series of high-level meetings involving senior INEC officials, the Presidency, and judicial authorities took place within the past 60 hours leading up to the statement.
Odinkalu questioned the legality of INEC’s actions, arguing that the Commission overstepped its mandate by interpreting a Court of Appeal judgment instead of seeking clarification.
“It should be evident to a professor of law and SAN that it is not the business of INEC to interpret the decision of the Court of Appeal,” he said, suggesting that due process would have required a formal return to the appellate court.
The allegations have intensified concerns over the independence of INEC at a critical moment, as Nigeria begins early preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts warn that the unfolding controversy could erode public confidence in the electoral system if not addressed transparently. Odinkalu issued a stark warning about the broader implications:
“The country stares down a barrel,” he said, cautioning that the current trajectory signals potential subversion of democratic institutions.
