The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked Professor Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to step down from his position.

The demand comes barely 24 hours after INEC removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as leaders of ADC.

The party said the commission chairman and commissioners have sided with the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and cannot be trusted to conduct credible elections in 2027.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Mr Mark responded to the delisting of ADC, saying his party is no longer confident in INEC.

“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the National Commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election,” Mr Mark said.

He added, “Let us also make it clear: we are proceeding with our party programmes, because there is nothing under the law that makes INEC’s attendance a mandatory requirement. We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly.

“We also call on the international community to take note of INEC’s actions of April 1st, and of the restraint we are exercising today. We urge them to recognise the clear threat to Nigeria’s democracy and stability, and to hold accountable those who are undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

“We call on Nigerians to defend our democracy. This is a defining moment. Stand firm. Speak out. Participate. Resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on Nigeria. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and together, we must protect it.”

Explaining the coalition move and leadership restructuring, Mr Mark said the decision followed extensive consultations, due diligence, and strict compliance with the party’s constitution.

He noted that stakeholders across different blocs agreed on the need for unity and structural reforms to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.

Mr Mark disclosed that a NEC meeting held on July 29, 2025, and monitored by INEC, dissolved the National Working Committee.

He said the meeting also approved the establishment of a caretaker leadership to oversee the party’s activities during the transition period.

According to him, the caretaker committee was mandated to stabilise the party and prepare the ground for a credible and inclusive national convention.

Mr Mark said the caretaker committee included himself as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, alongside other officials managing the party’s affairs.

He added that the resolutions reached at the NEC meeting were formally communicated to INEC in line with regulatory requirements.

According to him, INEC subsequently updated the party’s leadership records based on the resolutions and decisions reached during the NEC meeting.

Mr Mark further said that a former deputy national chairman, Nafiu Bala, had earlier resigned from his position within the party.

He said Mr Bala’s resignation was duly documented and transmitted to the INEC in full compliance with applicable legal and administrative procedures.

Prominent party leaders present at the briefing included Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, and John Odigie-Oyegun, among others.

Mr Mark noted that their presence underscored broad support within the party for the ongoing reforms and the demand for accountability in Nigeria’s electoral system.