….Accuses Commission’s boss of bias, interference
Concerns over the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process intensified yesterday, as opposition groups and prominent civic voices separately raised alarms about alleged partisanship within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and proposed amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Abuja, a non-partisan pro-democracy group, Opposition Watch Nigeria (OWN), called for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), accusing him of bias and unlawful interference in the internal affairs of opposition political parties. The group warned that such actions threaten public confidence in the electoral umpire and could undermine Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Aisha Bello, OWN alleged that INEC under Professor Amupitan had exceeded its constitutional mandate by intervening in leadership and nomination disputes within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The group cited Supreme Court judgments that reportedly faulted the commission for intruding into matters reserved exclusively for political parties.
OWN also criticised what it described as inconsistent handling of internal PDP disputes, including selective recognition of party factions and invitations to statutory meetings. According to the group, these actions have fuelled perceptions of deliberate attempts to weaken opposition parties ahead of future elections.
“INEC is empowered to conduct and supervise elections, not to impose leadership or arbitrate internal party crises,” the statement said, adding that continued controversy surrounding the commission’s leadership could damage the credibility of future polls.
OWN urged civil society, the media, and the international community to demand accountability, insisting that public trust in INEC must be restored.
Meanwhile, a separate but related national debate has erupted over reports that the Senate is considering amendments to the Electoral Act that would remove the mandatory requirement for electronic transmission of election results. The move has drawn strong criticism from legal experts, civil society leaders, and opposition lawmakers, who warn that it could reverse key electoral reforms achieved in recent years.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana; political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi and former lawmaker, Dr. Usman Bugaje, have all publicly opposed the proposed changes, describing them as a setback for transparency and a potential threat to credible elections. They argue that making electronic transmission discretionary could reopen avenues for result manipulation and erode public trust in the electoral process.
At the centre of the controversy is Section 60(2) of the 2022 Electoral Act, which mandates the electronic transmission of polling unit results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV). Critics of the proposed amendment say the provision, despite challenges during the 2023 elections, marked a significant step toward transparency and accountability.
Opposition senators and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have also cautioned that weakening the provision could undermine electoral integrity and legitimacy. They insist that any reform should strengthen, rather than dilute, safeguards against manipulation.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, analysts say how authorities respond to these concerns could prove decisive in shaping trust in the democratic process.
