ADC Seeks Amupitan’s Resignation Over Alleged Pro-Tinubu Tweet In 2023

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Amupitan, over allegations linking him to a pro-Bola Tinubu tweet in 2023.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the development as a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.

However, nINEC has denied that its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, owns or has ever operated a personal account on X, formerly Twitter.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, on Friday, the INEC boss described the allegation as “entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.”

The statement reads, “The INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X.”

Abdullahi said, nonetheless, said “The recent revelation linking a pro-Bola Ahmed Tinubu tweet of 2023 to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Amupitan, is not merely disturbing; it is a grave affront to the integrity of our electoral system.”

He stressed that neutrality is the cornerstone of electoral credibility, warning that any perception of bias undermines public trust.

“In a democracy, the umpire must be above suspicion. He must not only be independent, he must be seen, beyond any reasonable doubt, to be independent. That is the minimum standard required of anyone entrusted with the sacred duty of conducting free and fair elections,” he stated.

The ADC further alleged attempts to alter digital records linked to the controversy, describing such actions as deeply troubling.

“More troubling is the desperate attempt to tamper with digital records, to erase evidence of his previous partisanship. This is not a trivial matter. It is a calculated assault on truth and accountability,” Abdullahi said.

According to him, such conduct raises serious concerns about the chairman’s ability to oversee credible elections.

“A man who manipulates records to save himself cannot be trusted to safeguard the mandate of millions,” he added.

The party maintained that recent revelations, including what it described as “incontrovertible digital evidence,” show that the INEC chairman has fallen short of the standards required of his office.

“The referee cannot be running around in the shirt of one of the teams he’s supposed to officiate in a match,” Abdullahi said.

He insisted that resignation remains the only acceptable course of action.

“This is why Professor Amupitan must resign. Now. Anything less is an insult to the Nigerian people and a dangerous precedent for our democracy,” he declared.

The ADC also disclosed plans to escalate the matter through formal channels.

“Relying on this evidence, ADC will be updating our petitions to all relevant institutions, including foreign governments and the Nigerian Bar Association,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the party would intensify its actions until the INEC chairman steps down.

“We will also renew and escalate our civil disobedience action until the INEC Chairman leaves office,” he stated.

The ADC maintained that the issue goes beyond partisan politics, warning that it poses a broader risk to Nigeria’s democratic process and electoral integrity.