The African Democratic Congress (ADC) caucus in the House of Representatives has called for the prosecution and removal of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan over allegations of partisanship and compromised neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The demand follows the caucus’ inaugural meeting held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, where members reviewed recent political developments and expressed deep concern about the credibility of the electoral umpire. Lawmakers allege that Amupitan has exhibited actions and made statements inconsistent with the expectations of an impartial electoral body head.
Central to their concerns are allegations that the INEC chairman previously operated a personal X (formerly Twitter) account where he reportedly expressed support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and shared controversial content relating to claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria. While INEC has denied any link between Amupitan and the account, the ADC caucus stated that digital forensic findings and online investigations suggest otherwise, raising questions about his integrity and transparency.
“The office of the INEC chairman is too critical to be tainted by allegations of partisanship,” the caucus stated. They argued that such conduct undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and threatens the integrity of future elections.
The caucus’ position reflects growing tensions surrounding electoral oversight in Nigeria, where concerns about institutional impartiality have intensified in the lead-up to the 2027 polls. The call for Amupitan’s removal adds to a broader debate about the independence of electoral institutions and their role in safeguarding democratic processes.
The ADC lawmakers have urged relevant authorities to investigate the allegations thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure the neutrality of Nigeria’s electoral management body. Their stance underscores the heightened scrutiny facing electoral officials as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle amid persistent questions about institutional credibility and political bias.
