The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is facing increasing pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, over preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegation during an interview with The Sun on Saturday.
According to Abdullahi, the electoral commission is caught between preserving its independence and responding to alleged political pressure from the ruling party.
“INEC is conflicted. There is tension between its desire to maintain its independence and the pressure it is facing from the ruling party. Sometimes it yields to that pressure, while at other times it tries to resist and uphold its independence,” he said.
The ADC spokesman said the party sympathised with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, over what he described as the pressure being mounted on him, but maintained that the issue extends beyond the commission’s leadership.
“We have sympathy for the INEC chairman because we understand the kind of pressure he is under. But this is not about him alone; it is about the institution of INEC.
“Politicians are not the only ones on trial. ADC is not the only party on trial, and neither is any other political party. INEC is also on trial, just as the judiciary is,” he said.
Abdullahi urged the electoral commission to uphold its constitutional mandate and remain impartial in the discharge of its responsibilities.
“INEC has an opportunity to demonstrate that its loyalty lies with the Nigerian Constitution and the Nigerian people. Every government eventually leaves office and is judged by history.
“History will remember Prof. Amupitan. He must decide the role he wants to play in Nigeria’s democratic history—whether he wants to be remembered with honour or with ignominy. The opportunity to make that choice is now,” he added.
INEC and the APC had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
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