By Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
A group, Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN) has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, with a hashtag #AmupitanMustResign.
The group, which made the call in a statement on Sunday in Abuja by its Spokesperson, Aisha Bello, said it is committed to protecting democratic principles, political pluralism, and the rule of law.
It accused the Chairman of INEC of blatant bias and improper interference in the internal affairs of political parties, specifically the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the statement OWN, a non-partisan advocacy group committed to protecting democratic principles, political pluralism, and the rule of law,
expressed deep concern over actions that undermine the independence and impartiality of INEC as the nation’s electoral umpire.
Speaking on its case against the INEC Chairman, the group highlighted recent developments where electoral umpire has been accused of taking sides in disputes within opposition parties.
It specifically the SDP crisis, saying “The Supreme Court has 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.
On the issue of the PDP internal disputes, OWN said, “Conflicting recognitions of leadership groups and questionable invitations to meetings have fueled perceptions of selective interference”.
OWN alleged that “these moves” are strategically aimed at weakening opposition structures ahead of future electoral cycles.
While accusing Prof Amupitan, SAN, of a breach of constitutional mandate, the group said, “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,” Continuing, the statement read. “By repeatedly overstepping its bounds, despite clear judicial pronouncements affirming party autonomy, the current leadership (of INEC has compromised its neutrality and eroded public trust in the electoral process.”
In the statement, Aisha Bello emphasized that such conduct risks tilting the political playing field in favor of the ruling party, stifling genuine multiparty competition, and paving the way for a slide toward authoritarianism. The OWN noted that impartiality is fundamental to credible elections and that any perception of bias threatens the very integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking on the path forward, OWN said, “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.”, it said.
The group therefore urged all lovers of democracy, civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to join the demand for accountability.
It insisted that the Chairman’s resignation is the only way to restore confidence in the Commission and ensure a level playing field for upcoming elections.
“Patriots must resist any attempt to weaponize state institutions against opposition voices. Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford an umpire perceived as playing for one side,” the statement concluded.
