EXPOSED: How INEC Chairman Was Forced To Issue Statement Delisting ADC
Emerging reports have ignited fresh controversy over the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following allegations that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, acted under intense pressure in issuing a recent directive.
The development comes after INEC announced on Wednesday that it would remove the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal as leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The Commission cited an ongoing legal dispute over the party’s leadership as the basis for the decision.
Senator Mark currently serves as the National Chairman of the ADC, while Aregbesola holds the position of National Secretary.
In addition, INEC said it would suspend recognition of any faction or leadership of the party pending the final determination of the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The decision was conveyed in a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna. According to the Commission, its action followed “preservatory orders” granted by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 involving Senator David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
However, human rights activist and legal scholar, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has raised serious concerns over the circumstances surrounding the decision. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account late Wednesday, Odinkalu alleged that the Commission’s position followed a series of high-level meetings involving senior INEC officials, the Presidency, the Court of Appeal, and the Federal High Court within the last 60 hours.
Citing what he described as “impeccable authority,” Odinkalu further claimed that Prof. Amupitan’s appointment as INEC Chairman was contingent upon a pre-signed resignation letter allegedly held by powerful interests, which could be deployed as leverage.
“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. The threat of releasing it did the magic,” Odinkalu stated.
He questioned the Commission’s decision to interpret a Court of Appeal judgment instead of seeking formal clarification, noting that such responsibility does not lie with INEC.
“It should be evident to a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria that it is not the business of INEC to interpret the decision of the Court of Appeal,” he said, adding that a body acting in good faith would have returned to the court for proper interpretation if any ambiguity existed.
The allegations come amid growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Odinkalu warned that the situation points to a broader erosion of democratic institutions, cautioning that Nigeria may be heading toward a critical moment.
“The country stares down a barrel,” he said, suggesting that only those willing to either challenge or enable the current system fully grasp the implications for the #NigeriaDecides2027 electoral cycle.
