ADC chieftains protest over INEC Chairman’s sack
Former ice-President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, former Kano state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on Wednesday led a massive protest to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Other key figures at the protest include, Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, Dino Melaye, David Mark, and other leaders and supporters of the ADC.
Aside accusing INEC of aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in a bid to undermine its chances of fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections, the ADC has thrown down the gauntlet in a blistering confrontation with the leadership of the commission, accusing its chairman, Professor Joseph Amupitan, SAN, of straying beyond constitutional limits and eroding the credibility of the electoral body.
In a strongly worded communication, the party signalled its readiness to deploy every lawful and constitutional instrument available, including litigation and coordinated civic resistance, should its demands be ignored. At the heart of the dispute is what the ADC describes as an alarming pattern of conduct, public statements, and administrative actions that call into question the chairman’s neutrality and continued suitability for office.
The party insists that the line between electoral administration and judicial interpretation must not be blurred, stressing that the authority to construe court rulings rests solely with the judiciary. It warned that any attempt by the electoral commission’s leadership to assume that role represents a fundamental breach of constitutional order.
ADC, in a statement, jointly endorsed by the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, sharpened the tone of the standoff, formally demanding not only a public apology but also a categorical undertaking that the commission would desist from meddling in the internal affairs of political parties.
This ultimatum, the party made clear, is non-negotiable.
In a letter titled “DEMAND FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OVER PARTISAN CONDUCT, GROSS MISCONDUCT, CONSTITUTIONAL BREACH, AND THREAT TO MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY,” the ADC did not mince words:
“We write to convey our strongest condemnation of your recent actions and public statements, which have further deepened concerns about your fitness to continue in office as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The party went further, faulting a recent media outing by the chairman, describing it as unbecoming of his office and indicative of a troubling descent into partisan territory.
“Your recent media interview was not only disgraceful and unbecoming of the high office you occupy but it also exposed a troubling willingness to descend into partisan controversy and to assume roles far outside the constitutional mandate of the Commission,” the party said.
Reiterating its demands, the ADC stated: “A formal apology to the party; and A clear commitment to refrain from further interference in the internal affairs of political parties. Take note that failure to comply will leave us with no option but to activate all lawful and constitutional mechanisms to ensure accountability, including judicial proceedings and coordinated civic action.”
Central to the party’s grievance is what it termed an unconstitutional overreach by the INEC chairman, adding, “of grave concern is your attempt to constitute yourself into an interpreter of judicial pronouncements. This is wholly unacceptable. The interpretation of court judgments is the exclusive preserve of the judiciary.
“For the Chairman of INEC to publicly assume that role, offering partisan constructions of legal outcomes in a manner that appears to favour a particular individual, amounts to a serious constitutional breach and an affront to the doctrine of separation of powers.”
According to the ADC, the commission’s posture has only deepened suspicions of bias, adding, “your conduct, taken together with INEC’s earlier correspondence to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reinforces the perception that the Commission under your leadership has abandoned neutrality and has instead aligned itself with factional interests. This is not only improper; it is dangerous for the credibility of our electoral system.”
The party also dismissed any lingering claims to authority by former members of its leadership, pointing to their prior participation in decisions that dissolved the National Working Committee.
“Furthermore, it is a matter of record that the individual in question attended the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ADC at which the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Chief Ralph Nwosu, of which he was a member, was duly dissolved. Having participated in that decision, any subsequent reliance on his former authority, position, or signature is fundamentally flawed, contradictory, and devoid of legal credibility,” It said.
The ADC accused the commission of stepping outside its statutory role, stressing, “INEC’s posture in this regard raises serious questions about bias and institutional overreach. INEC is not a court of law. It is not an advocate. It has no mandate to interpret judgments to suit a preferred narrative. Its duty is clear: to act strictly within the bounds of the Constitution and the law, with absolute neutrality and professionalism.”
Beyond the immediate dispute, the party framed the issue as a broader threat to Nigeria’s democratic architecture.
ADC said: “Beyond these infractions, we unequivocally condemn what can only be described as a dangerous and unacceptable attempt to undermine and destroy Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system. Any action, policy, or conduct that tilts the electoral playing field, elevates an aggrieved party member to factional leader, or interferes with the internal autonomy of political parties strikes at the very heart of democratic pluralism. And all of these you have done.”
The ADC vowed resistance, adding, “we state, without equivocation, that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will resist any such attempt—lawfully, firmly, and resolutely. Nigeria’s democracy was built on the foundation of political plurality, and no individual or institution will be allowed to erode that foundation through partisan conduct and administrative overreach.”
While acknowledging the legacy of professionalism within the commission, the party argued that recent developments have cast a shadow over that reputation.
The party said: “We acknowledge that the INEC was, and is still populated by many men and women of conscience and integrity who have laboured over the years in the service of our country and the sanctity of its electoral process. But you have appeared willing to lay their sacrifices to waste by your very conduct, which today has effectively brought the Commission into disrepute and has significantly eroded public confidence.”
To reinforce its position, the ADC laid out a detailed chronology of internal decisions, meetings, and communications with INEC, insisting the process that produced its current leadership was transparent, lawful, and duly acknowledged by the commission.
It argued that these documented steps, including NEC resolutions, NWC actions, and formal notifications to INEC, invalidate any competing claims to leadership within the party.
The party further alleged attempts to pressure officials within the commission. “You must also be aware that INEC’s own affidavit, deposed at the Federal High Court on September 12, unequivocally confirms all of the foregoing. We must also bring to your notice that we are aware of efforts being made by INEC under your directive as well as the pressure being mounted on conscientious INEC officials to recant their testimonies which contradicts the agenda that you have decided to pursue. This is indeed unconscionable.”
Drawing the curtain on its demands, the ADC issued a stark ultimatum: “In light of all the foregoing, we hereby demand: Your immediate resignation from office in the interest of preserving the integrity of INEC; OR Your immediate removal by the appropriate constitutional authorities for gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violation of constitutional boundaries.”
The party also renewed its call for a reversal of the commission’s position. “We also reiterate our demand for: The immediate withdrawal of INEC’s offensive correspondence to the ADC.”
