A religious leader, Jeremiah Baba Adamu, has called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, following the conclusion of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
Adamu made the demand in a statement posted on social media on Sunday, June 21, alleging electoral irregularities during the Ekiti governorship election and the recent Nasarawa North senatorial by-election.
Allegations Against INEC
According to Adamu, the conduct of the elections has raised concerns about the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
He argued that if INEC struggles to manage elections in a single state or a senatorial district without controversy, Nigerians may have little confidence in the commission’s ability to supervise nationwide polls in 2027.
The cleric urged authorities to either compel the INEC chairman to resign or consider reforms within the electoral body.
“Amupitan resign now or be sacked. Nigerians must insist that Tinubu APC replace Amupitan with a capable hand or NASS should carry out their oversight function and remove Amupitan immediately to avoid chaos and confusion in Nigeria in the future elections.”
The public commentator added via X: “Joash Ojo Amupitan bundled Abuja FCT Council election. Now he is bundling off cycle elections in Ekiti State Governorship election and Nasarawa State North Senatorial election where ballot boxes were snatched by thugs in Army uniform in Akwanga. It is unacceptable.
Claims of Electoral Irregularities
Adamu alleged that incidents of electoral malpractice occurred during both elections.
Among his concerns were reports of ballot-box snatching and disruptions in some voting areas.
He claimed that these incidents reflected weaknesses in election management and called for a comprehensive review of INEC’s operations.
However, INEC has not officially responded to the latest demand for the chairman’s resignation.
Growing Debate Over Electoral Reforms
The call comes amid increasing discussions about electoral reforms and the credibility of elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
Political stakeholders, civil society groups, and election observers have continued to debate the effectiveness of Nigeria’s electoral system and the need for stronger safeguards against election malpractice.
While some groups have expressed confidence in the commission’s performance, others have called for structural changes to improve transparency and public trust.
Previous Calls for Removal
This is not the first time pressure has been mounted on the INEC leadership.
Earlier, the Muslim Rights Concern also called for the removal of the INEC chairman, questioning his suitability to continue leading the commission.
The organisation argued that public confidence in the electoral process must be protected through accountability and reforms.
Mixed Reactions From Nigerians
The development generated varied reactions from political observers and citizens.
@CitizenWatch
“If there are genuine allegations, they should be investigated thoroughly rather than ignored.”
@DemocracyFirst
“Calls for resignation should be based on verified evidence and not just political disagreements.”
@NaijaObserver
“The credibility of 2027 elections will depend largely on how concerns from recent elections are addressed.”
@PoliticalAnalystNG
“Electoral reforms are important, but institutions should also be allowed to defend their processes.”
@VoiceOfThePeople
“Nigerians want transparent elections. Whether through reforms or leadership changes, confidence must be restored.”
Looking Ahead to 2027
As attention shifts toward the 2027 general elections, debates over election management, transparency, and public trust in INEC are expected to intensify.
For now, the demand by Jeremiah Baba Adamu adds another voice to the growing conversation about the future of Nigeria’s electoral system and the leadership of the country’s election management body.
