Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has openly criticised the leadership of Nigeria’s electoral body, accusing it of undermining democratic principles.
Speaking at the national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, Atiku alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) is being manipulated to weaken democracy.
However, he specifically called out its chairman, Joash Amupitan, accusing him of engaging in unlawful practices.
According to Atiku, there is clear evidence that the commission’s actions are not neutral.
Meanwhile, he warned that Nigerians who fought to end military rule would not stand by while democratic values are threatened.
The Resistance
Additionally, he emphasised that there would be resistance against any attempt to erode the country’s democratic system and insisted that the INEC chairman would be held accountable.
The controversy comes amid growing tension between INEC and the ADC.
The dispute intensified after the commission suspended its recognition of a faction of the party led by David Mark, citing a court ruling.
This decision sparked outrage within the party, with its leadership accusing INEC of bias and unfair treatment.
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Adding to the backlash are recent allegations that Amupitan made politically charged remarks on X, further fueling demands from ADC members for his removal.
The situation highlights ongoing concerns about the independence of Nigeria’s electoral system and signals a potentially deepening conflict between opposition parties and the electoral commission.