Civil Society Group Passes Vote of Confidence in INEC Chairman, Warns ADC Over Crisis

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has passed a vote of confidence in the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, while cautioning political actors against dragging the electoral body into the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Director of the council, Blessing Akinlosotu, described recent attacks on INEC as unwarranted and warned that such actions could erode public trust in democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akinlosotu stressed that the crisis within the ADC is purely an internal party affair, arising from political arrangements made in 2025. He noted that INEC was only joined as a nominal party in the dispute and has simply complied with a valid judicial directive.

The ADC has been entangled in a protracted leadership tussle following a controversial restructuring of its leadership structure last year. The division reportedly pitted longstanding members of its National Executive Committee against new political entrants. The matter eventually reached the courts, with the Court of Appeal on March 12, 2026, dismissing an appeal by one faction and ordering a return to the status quo before September 2025.

According to the NCSCN, INEC’s decision to recognise the earlier leadership structure was in strict compliance with the court ruling and not an act of bias.

“INEC’s decision is not an act of victimisation but a strict adherence to the Court of Appeal’s directive. The Commission has clear constitutional and statutory powers to regulate political parties and enforce internal democracy,” Akinlosotu stated.

He added that the aggrieved faction’s decision to challenge jurisdiction at the appellate level rather than address substantive issues at the trial court prolonged the crisis.

The council also raised concerns over alleged plans to mobilise civil society groups for protests aimed at blackmailing INEC, warning that the civil society space must not be rented for political warfare.

In endorsing Prof. Amupitan, the NCSCN cited his commitment to the rule of law and ongoing electoral reforms, including the deployment of technology to curb ballot manipulation and enhance transparency.

“Under his leadership, Nigeria is moving away from the era of ballot snatching and result manipulation toward a system where votes truly count,” Akinlosotu said.

While acknowledging improvements in recent elections, including the Anambra State governorship poll and area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, the council noted that challenges such as vote buying and logistics remain.

Akinlosotu urged the aggrieved ADC faction to return to the trial court to resolve its grievances instead of resorting to public pressure. He also called on the public to disregard calls for the INEC chairman’s resignation, describing them as distractions from the Commission’s reform efforts.