By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) accusing him of blatant bias and improper interference in the internal affairs of opposition political parties.
The group made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by its spokesperson Aisha Bello, describing the situation as “democracy under siege” and launching a public campaign with the hashtag #AmupitanMustResign.
OWN, a non-partisan advocacy organisation focused on democratic accountability and the rule of law, said recent actions by INEC under Amupitan’s leadership had compromised the Commission’s neutrality and damaged public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“The role of INEC is to regulate and conduct elections, not to arbitrate or impose decisions on the internal governance of political parties,” Bello said. “By repeatedly overstepping its constitutional bounds, the current leadership has eroded trust in the Commission and undermined the integrity of the democratic process.”
The group cited what it described as troubling developments involving the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as evidence of selective interference by INEC.
According to OWN, the Supreme Court has on several occasions reprimanded INEC over its involvement in leadership and nomination disputes within the SDP, warning that such actions amount to a gross overreach of the Commission’s mandate. The group argued that these judicial pronouncements clearly affirm the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.
OWN also raised concerns over INEC’s handling of disputes within the PDP, alleging that conflicting recognitions of leadership factions and “questionable invitations to meetings” have deepened internal divisions within the party.
“These actions create the perception that INEC is taking sides in opposition party disputes, with the apparent aim of weakening their structures ahead of future elections,” Bello said.
The group warned that any perception of bias by the electoral umpire could tilt the political playing field in favour of the ruling party, weaken multiparty competition and set the country on a dangerous path.
“Impartiality is the foundation of credible elections,” the statement said. “When the umpire is perceived as playing for one side, democracy itself is put at risk.”
OWN maintained that opposition parties, including the SDP and PDP, have the constitutional right to resolve their internal disputes in line with their party constitutions, without interference from INEC.
“The Chairman’s continued stay in office under these circumstances is untenable,” Bello added. “It poses a clear and present danger to the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria.”
The group called on civil society organisations, the media and the international community to join its demand for accountability, insisting that Amupitan’s resignation is necessary to restore confidence in the electoral commission.
“Patriots must resist any attempt to weaponise state institutions against opposition voices,” the statement concluded. “Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford an electoral umpire perceived to be working for one side.”
