- OWN expressed concern over what it termed INEC’s growing role in leadership disputes within opposition parties
- OWN argued that INEC’s constitutional mandate does not extend to managing or resolving internal party conflicts
- OWN urged that political parties be allowed to settle their internal disagreements according to their constitutions
A political advocacy group, Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN), has called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, over allegations of undue involvement in the internal affairs of opposition parties.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, Eko Hot Blog reports that the group’s spokesperson, Aisha Bello, accused the INEC chairman of conduct it described as biased and incompatible with the commission’s role as a neutral electoral umpire.
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OWN expressed concern over what it termed INEC’s growing role in leadership disputes within opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The group warned that such actions pose a threat to democratic principles and political diversity.
According to the statement, recent developments surrounding the electoral body have strengthened public suspicion that INEC is taking sides in opposition party crises.
The group referenced previous court rulings, including decisions of the Supreme Court, which it said had cautioned the commission against interfering in party leadership and nomination matters.
OWN argued that INEC’s constitutional mandate does not extend to managing or resolving internal party conflicts, stressing that its responsibility is limited to the conduct and supervision of elections.
The group further alleged that inconsistent recognition of party factions and selective engagement with certain party leaders, especially within the PDP, had heightened fears of deliberate interference aimed at weakening opposition forces ahead of future polls.
It warned that continued actions perceived as overreach could damage public trust in the electoral process and compromise the commission’s credibility, noting that confidence in elections depends largely on the impartiality of INEC.
OWN urged that political parties be allowed to settle their internal disagreements according to their constitutions, without external influence.
It described the continued leadership of the commission under the current circumstances as unsustainable and called for broader pressure to ensure accountability.
The group also appealed to civil society organisations, the media and the international community to support its demand, insisting that leadership change at INEC was necessary to rebuild confidence in the institution.
Meanwhile, the call for Amupitan’s resignation has been criticised by legal experts. Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sebastine Hon, rejected similar demands from other groups, describing them as legally flawed.
In a separate statement, Hon said removing the INEC chairman on allegations of bias without due process would amount to a violation of the 1999 Constitution.
He explained that the removal of the INEC chairman can only occur through a constitutionally defined procedure involving both the President and the National Assembly.
Hon warned against attempts to intimidate holders of constitutional offices, arguing that such pressure undermines democratic stability and the rule of law.
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