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 body’s constitutional independence.
In a statement issued Thursday night in Abuja, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, said recent public comments by political actors alleging bias against the Chairman are unfounded. The remarks followed INEC’s decision to comply with a recent Court of Appeal ruling.
“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 said.
“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.”
INEC explained that it complied with the Court of Appeal judgment to prevent a repeat of incidents in Zamfara and Plateau States, where elected officials were removed after the Commission disobeyed court orders. It also noted that acting contrary to a Federal High Court directive could have undermined ongoing legal processes.
