Joemartins Uzodike, a senior chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called for the resignation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, alleging he has “failed Nigerians even before any election.”
Uzodike’s reaction follows INEC’s withdrawal of recognition for the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC, a move he described as “disgraceful” and “mischievous.”
The lawyer and political stalwart accused Prof. Amupitan of misinterpreting court orders, showing bias, and relying on submissions from an individual rather than established party structures. He said this action created a leadership vacuum in the opposition party, undermining both the ADC and the legal system.
“Amupitan is a Professor of Law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. How can he fail to grasp the meaning of status quo ante bellum, which simply means returning to the position before the matter went to court?” Uzodike questioned.
He further faulted the recognition of Nafiu Bala as a faction leader, pointing out that Bala “neither has a secretary nor leads any known executive committee.”
Uzodike warned that INEC’s current approach has set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s electoral process, accusing the commission of descending “brazenly and carelessly into the arena of political disputes.”
