A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ladan Salihu, said on Sunday in Abuja that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has failed the competency test and should resign or be removed.
Salihu made this statement in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics while speaking about the state of elections and public trust in Nigeria.
He claimed that the current leadership of INEC does not meet the standard expected of an electoral body in a large country.
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He said, “Amupitan should resign or should be removed because in public service today, Amupitan to me is the number one persona non grata because he has failed the integrity test, he has failed the competency test, he has not presented himself as that impartial, credible umpire that can give Nigeria, a nation of 250 million people, an election to celebrate.”
Salihu explained that the conduct and public statements of the INEC chairman have raised serious concerns.
He said, “Because by his actions, his utterances and the way he conducts government business, he scandalises every person that has integrity in Nigeria.”
He mentioned that many Nigerians have lost trust in the INEC chairman, stating that the loss of confidence is not limited to political parties but also affects ordinary citizens who want progress in the country.
Salihu also repeated the party’s demand for change in leadership at INEC before the next general election. He claimed that the opposition will continue to push for Amupitan’s removal if he does not step down on his own.
In response to whether the ADC would boycott future elections conducted by Amupitan, Salihu said the party would decide at the right time.
He stated, “The election is our own constitutional responsibility as the leading opposition movement. When we get to that stage, we will make a decision about it.”
Salihu also warned that the issue could affect the credibility of future elections if not addressed early.
His comments suggested that Nigeria needs an electoral body that is trusted by all sides.
INEC has, however, denied claims of bias and has maintained that its chairman remains neutral in the discharge of his duties.