Isaac Samuel
Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday demanded the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, following the commission’s decision to derecognise the party’s leadership.
The demand came as top opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, gathered at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja to address the unfolding crisis within the party.
Also in attendance were the ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark; former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke; John Odigie-Oyegun; Ralph Nwosu; and Kashim Imam, among others.
Addressing journalists, Mark said the party no longer had confidence in INEC, accusing the commission of taking sides with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and compromising its neutrality.
“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,” he said.
INEC had, on Wednesday, announced that it would no longer recognise Mark and Aregbesola as the party’s national chairman and secretary, respectively, alongside other members of the National Working Committee, pending the determination of a leadership tussle before the courts.
The commission also said it would not monitor the party’s national convention scheduled for April 14 and would refrain from dealing with any of the contending factions until the dispute is resolved.
Despite INEC’s position, Mark insisted that the party would proceed with its planned activities, noting that there was no legal requirement mandating the commission’s presence.
“We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly,” he said.
He called on the international community to take note of the commission’s actions, warning that they pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy, and urged Nigerians to defend the country’s democratic institutions.
