The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls for the resignation of its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), describing such demands as an attack on the Commission’s constitutional independence.
In a statement issued on Thursday night in Abuja, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, said recent allegations by some political actors claiming bias on the part of the Chairman were unfounded. The criticisms followed the Commission’s decision to comply with a recent ruling of the Court of Appeal.
According to the statement, INEC’s leadership structure, including the appointment, tenure, and removal of its Chairman and National Commissioners, is clearly defined by the Constitution and cannot be influenced by partisan interests.
“INEC is a creation of the Constitution. The appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly governed by law,” the statement read.
It further stressed that the Chairman does not serve at the discretion of any political party or interest group, warning that calls for removal outside constitutional provisions undermine the credibility and independence of the electoral body.
“The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. Any calls for removal outside the constitutional process are a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire,” Oketola added.
INEC also defended its decision to comply with the Court of Appeal ruling, noting that adherence to judicial pronouncements was necessary to avoid a recurrence of past incidents in Zamfara and Plateau states, where electoral outcomes were overturned due to non-compliance with court orders.
The Commission explained that disregarding the ruling or acting contrary to directives from the Federal High Court could have jeopardised ongoing legal proceedings and created further uncertainty in the electoral process.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, INEC urged political stakeholders to respect constitutional provisions and judicial decisions, emphasizing that the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system depends on strict adherence to due process.
By Chief Edet Isong