A styled non-partisan advocacy group, Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN) has called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan for allegedly interfering in the internal affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The group in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by its spokesperson, Aisha Bello, said the actions of the commission undermine the independence and impartiality of INEC as the nation’s electoral umpire.
It recalled that the Supreme Court had repeatedly reprimanded the commission for meddling in the internal affairs of the SDP, “describing such actions as a gross overreach of the commission’s constitutional mandate.”
OWN also accused INEC of recognising the leadership of an illegal PDP group and inviting it to questionable meetings, which it said, fueled perceptions of selective interference.
According to the group, “these moves are strategically aimed at weakening opposition structures ahead of future electoral cycles.”
It noted that 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.
The group alleged that the current leadership of INEC has compromised its neutrality and eroded public trust in the electoral process, “by repeatedly overstepping its bounds, despite clear judicial pronouncements affirming party autonomy.”
This conduct, the group said, “risks tilting the political playing field in favour of the ruling party, stifling genuine multiparty competition, and paving the way for a slide toward authoritarianism.”
The group demanded that SDP, PDP and other opposition political parties should be allowed 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,” OWN said.
It urged all lovers of democracy, civil society organisations, the media, and the international community to join the demand for accountability.
The group insists 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 weaponise state institutions against opposition voices.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford an umpire perceived as playing for one side,” the group added.
