The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked Professor Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to step down from his position.
The demand comes barely 24 hours after INEC removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as leaders of ADC.
The party said the commission chairman and commissioners have sided with the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and cannot be trusted to conduct credible elections in 2027.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Mr Mark responded to the delisting of ADC, saying his party is no longer confident in INEC.
“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,” Mr Mark said.
He added, “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.
“We also call on the international community to take note of INEC’s actions of April 1st, and of the restraint we are exercising today. We urge them to recognise the clear threat to Nigeria’s democracy and stability, and to hold accountable those who are undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
“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.”
