The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations of partisan bias and calls for the removal of its chairman, insisting its actions were guided strictly by constitutional provisions and court orders.
In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary Adedayo Oketola, the Commission said while stakeholders have the right to express opinions, INEC remains a creation of the Nigerian Constitution, with the appointment and removal of its leadership governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He stressed that the chairman does not serve at the pleasure of any political party, describing calls for removal outside constitutional processes as a threat to its independence.
INEC explained that its decision to comply with a recent Court of Appeal judgment was aimed at avoiding a repeat of past incidents in Zamfara and Plateau states, where elected officials lost their positions due to disobedience of court orders. It also cited a subsisting preservative order restraining it from actions that could undermine ongoing proceedings at the Federal High Court.
According to the Commission, monitoring the congresses and conventions of the David Mark led ADC would have violated court directives, as pending suits include requests to bar INEC from supervising such activities. It noted that it had earlier recognised Mark’s executive committee on September 9, 2025 after the case had already been filed making adherence to the “status quo ante bellum” order mandatory.
INEC reiterated that Section 287(2) of the Constitution compels all authorities to obey and enforce Court of Appeal judgments, leaving it with no discretion in the matter.
The Commission also rejected claims of undermining Nigeria’s multi-party system, pointing to the recent registration of new parties, including the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and National Democratic Party (NDP), bringing the total number of active political parties to 22.
On the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, INEC said the initiative predates the current leadership and is necessary to sanitise the voter register, which contains data from 2011 to 2024.
It clarified that the exercise is not a fresh registration but an administrative audit to address multiple registrations, transfers, and deceased voters, and will be conducted nationwide with digital access options.
The Commission also raised concerns over attempts to politicise the exercise, stressing it is a neutral, transparent process not targeted at any group.
INEC said it remains focused on preparations for the Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026) off-cycle elections, adding it will not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations.
Reaffirming its neutrality, the Commission said its decisions are based on legal frameworks and the rule of law, aimed at ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.
The electoral body stated that calls for the resignation of its chairman are unwarranted and reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s democratic process.