A non-partisan advocacy group committed to protecting democratic principles, political pluralism, and the rule of law on the aegis of Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN) has expressed deep concern over actions that undermine the independence and impartiality of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the nation’s electoral umpire.
The organisation in a statement on Sunday, February 8, 2026, by Aisha Bello, stressed that INEC’s role is to regulate and monitor elections, and not to act as an arbiter or impose decisions on the internal governance of political parties.
The statement further highlighted recent developments where INEC under Prof Amupitan has been accused of taking sides in disputes within opposition parties.
OWN insisted that the present undue and deliberate interference of INEC in the internal affairs of political parties, 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.
It emphasised that impartiality is fundamental to credible elections, saying that any perception of bias threatens the very integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
OWN pointedly said that Prof. Amupitan’s continued tenure as INEC Chairman under these circumstances is untenable and poses a clear and present danger to free and fair elections.
Accordingly, OWN called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of INEC, Prof Amupitan with a hashtag #AmupitanMustResign.
OWN specifically accused Amupitan of blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
OWN noted that in the SDP crisis, the Supreme Court had repeatedly reprimanded INEC for unwarranted meddling in the party’s internal leadership and nomination processes, describing such actions as a gross overreach of the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
Similarly, OWN pointedly accused INEC of granting conflicting recognitions of leadership and extending questionable invitations to meeting to groups in the PDP internal disputes, thus fueled perceptions of selective interference.
It noted that the moves by INEC are strategically aimed at weakening opposition structures ahead of future electoral cycles.
In the words of OWN; “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.
“By repeatedly overstepping its bounds, despite clear judicial pronouncements affirming party autonomy, the current leadership has compromised its neutrality and eroded public trust in the electoral process.
“Opposition parties like the SDP, PDP, and others deserve to resolve their internal matters in accordance with their own constitutions, free from external dictation by INEC,” it stated.
OWN therefore urged all lovers of democracy, civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to join the demand for accountability.
It also insisted that Amupitan’s resignation as INEC chairman is the only way to restore confidence in the Commission and ensure a level playing field for upcoming elections.
OWN further said; “Patriots must resist any attempt to weaponize state institutions against opposition voices. Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford an umpire perceived as playing for one side”.
