Leaders of African Democratic Congress, (ADC) on Thursday demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, saying that his leadership in attacking Nigeria’s “democracy will not stand.”
ADC said the call for his exit has became imperative because “the the Commission chairman and Commissioners have taken side with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and cannot be trusted to conduct the 2027 general elections.
Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark, told journalists in Abuja on Thursday in reaction to the derecognition of the party leadership led by him that they no longer have confidence in INEC.
“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.
“Let us also make it clear: we are proceeding with our party programmes, because there is nothing under the law that makes INEC’s attendance, a mandatory requirement. We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly.
“We also call on the international community to take note of INEC’s actions of April 1st, and of the restraint we are exercising today. We urge them to recognise the clear threat to Nigeria’s democracy and stability, and to hold accountable those who are undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
“We call on Nigerians to defend our democracy. This is a defining moment. Stand firm. Speak out. Participate. Resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on Nigeria. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and together, we must protect it.”