April 02, (THEWILL) —
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, citing a complete loss of confidence in the Commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, made the demand on Thursday in Abuja, during a press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre, attended by key party chieftains, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Mark accused INEC of partisanship, alleging that the electoral body has aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in ways that threaten the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the National Commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election”, Mark stated.
He warned that INEC’s recent actions reflect a calculated plot to weaken opposition parties, creating conditions that could leave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the only viable choice for Nigerians in 2027.
“The agenda is very clear: to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people, despite the widespread suffering and wanton killings going on across the country. The twin challenge of deepening poverty and a worsening security situation, did not just happen. They are direct consequences of the failure of this government. They know that Nigerians will not want this to continue. They know Nigerians will vote them out. This is why they would do anything to hang on to power by hook or crook”, Mark added.
THEWILL reports that INEC had earlier announced plans to delist the Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) and suspend dealings with all factions of the party pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Commission’s Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the electoral body said the decision followed a review of relevant court rulings, including a directive to maintain the status quo in the leadership dispute within the ADC.
Haruna noted that the Commission’s action complied with the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026: Senator Mark v. Nafiu Bala Gombe & Ors., as well as the pending case before the Federal High Court. He further disclosed that INEC had received separate correspondence dated March 16 from two law firms representing different interests within the party, highlighting the complexity of the ongoing leadership tussle.
However, Mark recounted that the July 29, 2025, NEC meeting, monitored by INEC officials, dissolved the previous NWC and ratified a caretaker committee to oversee party affairs, with him as National Chairman, and Aregbesola as National Secretary. He said the resolutions of the NEC meeting were formally communicated to INEC, which subsequently uploaded the names of the new NWC members on September 9, 2025.
“In furtherance of this process, a NEC meeting was convened on July 29th, 2025, monitored by INEC officials. One of the conclusions of that NEC meeting was the dissolution of the National Working Committee of the party and the ratification of a caretaker committee to take over the affairs of the party, with my humble self, David Mark, as the National Chairman; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary; as well as others who have since been serving as officers of the party”, Mark stated.
The ADC chairman also addressed the legal challenge posed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman, who resigned in May 2025, but later sought court recognition as party chairman. Mark argued that INEC’s recent actions reflect a misinterpretation or deliberate disregard of the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum, claiming the Commission has “invented a status quo that never existed”.
“Based on its press statement of yesterday, INEC is pretending to be confused as to what constitutes the status quo ante bellum. While posturing to be neutral, its actions confirm that it has become irredeemably partisan, working, as it were, towards a preconceived agenda. With its action, INEC has left no one in doubt that it has chosen the path of dishonour and has become complicit in undermining Nigeria’s democracy. It can therefore no longer be trusted”, Mark said.
Despite INEC’s decision to delist party leaders, Mark confirmed that the ADC will continue with its party programmes, including congresses starting April 9, 2026, and a convention ending April 14, 2026.
“Let us also make it clear: we are proceeding with our party programmes, because there is nothing under the law that makes INEC’s attendance a mandatory requirement. We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly”, he stated.
Mark further appealed to Nigerians and the international community to safeguard democracy, describing the current moment as critical to the country’s political future.
“We call on Nigerians to defend our democracy. This is a defining moment. Stand firm. Speak out. Participate. Resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on Nigeria. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and together, we must protect it”, he urged.
He also directly challenged President Tinubu, questioning why the APC-led government fears a free and fair electoral contest given its overwhelming presence in the National Assembly and among state governors.
“If you are convinced that you have done well for the people who voted for you, why are you afraid of a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest? If you are indeed the democrat that you claim to be, why are you bent on destroying all opposition political parties?
“This INEC under Professor Joash Amupitan will be held directly responsible for whatever actions or reactions follow this criminal path that it has chosen to take”, Mark warned.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
