Group demand immediate resignation of INEC chairman
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN) has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN.
OWN is non-partisan advocacy group committed to protecting democratic principles, political pluralism, and the rule of law,
The group in a statement by its spokesperson, Aisha Bello, in Abuja on Sunday, accused Amupitan of bias and interference in the internal affairs of political parties, specifically the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Bello expressed deep concern over actions that undermine the independence and impartiality of INEC as the nation’s electoral umpire.
She highlighted recent developments where INEC had been accused of taking sides in disputes within opposition parties.
She cited the internal dispute with the SDP Crisis, Bello said that the Supreme Court had repeatedly reprimanded INEC for unwarranted meddling in the party’s internal leadership and nomination processes, describing such actions as a gross overreach of the commission’s constitutional mandate.
Also on PDP internal disputes, Bello said that conflicting recognitions of leadership groups and questionable invitations to meetings have fueled perceptions of selective interference.
He alleged that those moves were strategically aimed at weakening opposition structures ahead of future electoral cycles.
“INEC’s role is to regulate and monitor elections, not to act as an arbiter or impose decisions on the internal governance of political parties.
“By repeatedly overstepping its bounds, despite clear judicial pronouncements affirming party autonomy, the current leadership has compromised its neutrality and eroded public trust in the electoral process,” Bello said.
She emphasised that such conduct risks tilting the political playing field in favour of the ruling party, stifling genuine multiparty competition, and paving the way for a slide toward authoritarianism.
She added that impartiality is fundamental to credible elections and that any perception of bias threatens the very integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Opposition parties like the SDP, PDP, and others deserve to resolve their internal matters in accordance with their own constitutions, free from external dictation by INEC.
“The Chairman’s continued tenure under these circumstances is untenable and poses a clear and present danger to free and fair elections.”
Bello urged all lovers of democracy, civil society organisations, the media, and the international community to join the demand for accountability.
She insisted that the Amupitan’s resignation was the only way to restore confidence in INEC and ensure a level playing field for upcoming elections.
“Patriots must resist any attempt to weaponise state institutions against opposition voices. Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford an umpire perceived as playing for one side,” Bello said.