Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, intensifying tensions between the opposition party and the electoral body.
The protest began with a symbolic rendition of Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” as party leaders signaled what they described as a stand for institutional integrity and democratic accountability.
Following the opening, the demonstrators marched to the commission’s headquarters, where they submitted a strongly-worded letter addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, demanding his immediate resignation or removal from office.
The letter, dated April 8, 2026, was signed by the party’s National Chairman, Mark, and National Secretary, Aregbesola, and was received by an INEC official at the commission’s headquarters.
In the document, the ADC made what it described as a “direct and unequivocal demand” for Amupitan’s exit, citing allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violations of constitutional provisions. The party stressed that its position was not driven by political differences but by concerns over the integrity of the electoral institution.
According to the ADC, the credibility of INEC is now at risk, alleging that under Amupitan’s leadership, the commission has failed to maintain neutrality. The party claimed that INEC’s actions and communications suggest alignment with factional interests within the ADC, a development it warned could erode public trust in the electoral process and compromise future elections.
The party also faulted the INEC chairman for allegedly attempting to interpret court rulings publicly. It argued that such actions breach the constitutional principle of separation of powers, noting that only the judiciary has the authority to interpret its judgments.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the ADC warned that what it described as interference in the internal affairs of political parties could undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democratic system. It further rejected the legitimacy of individuals claiming leadership outside its recognized structure, describing such claims as contradictory and legally untenable.
To support its position, the party outlined a timeline of its internal decisions in 2025, including meetings of its National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC), which it said were attended by INEC officials and properly documented. The ADC added that INEC had previously acknowledged these processes and reflected the party’s leadership changes on its official records.
The development marks a significant escalation in the standoff between the ADC and INEC, raising fresh concerns about political tensions ahead of future electoral activities.
