The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed calls for the removal of its chairman, Joash Amupitan.
The commission insisted that such demands are unconstitutional and undermine the independence of the electoral body.
In a statement issued on Thursday night in Abuja and signed by Adedayo Oketola, the chief press secretary to the INEC Chairman, the commission said it had taken note of public criticisms and allegations of bias following its recent decisions, particularly concerning the crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“It is imperative to clarify that INEC is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” the Commission stated.
INEC further emphasised the independence of its leadership, noting that “The chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group.”
It warned that “any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.”
Explaining its decision to comply with a recent Court of Appeal judgment, INEC said the move was necessary to avoid a repeat of past incidents.
“The Commission decided to comply with the Judgment of the court of appeal to avert a situation that occurred in Zamfara State and Plateau State where elected officials were removed by the Election Tribunal on account of the disobedience of Court Judgment,” it stated.
The Commission added that it was also acting in line with a preservative court order, noting that it did not want to disobey the directive preventing any action that could render ongoing Federal High Court processes nugatory.
INEC also clarified that recognising factions within the ADC, including the one led by David Mark, would violate an existing court order, noting that it would not monitor any activities of the rival groups pending final judicial determination.
On concerns about the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, the commission said the process is administrative and designed to improve the integrity of the voter register.
“The revalidation process will help confirm the status of registered voters, address issues arising from transfers, multiple registrations, and deceased persons, and enhance the reliability of voter data in Nigeria,” it stated.
INEC maintained that it remains neutral and committed to the rule of law, adding that it would not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations while preparing for upcoming elections, including the Ekiti and Osun off-cycle polls