The 36 elected state chairmen of the Labour Party have rejected calls for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, while also warning the electoral body against recognising or supervising any fresh congresses being proposed within the party.
The position was made public at a press briefing in Abuja by the Secretary of the Forum of Elected State Chairmen and National Executive Committee, Abdurrahim Chindo, amid ongoing political controversy surrounding allegations directed at the INEC chairman.
The debate follows a call by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which had urged Amupitan’s resignation over claims linked to a past social media post allegedly associated with him. The ADC had argued that attempts to erase related digital traces raised concerns about transparency and credibility in the electoral system.
The matter has sparked wider reactions from political figures, with some lawmakers defending the INEC chairman and cautioning against actions that could heighten political tension.
However, the Labour Party state chairmen distanced themselves from the resignation demand, insisting that grievances against public office holders should be addressed through proper legal and institutional channels rather than public agitation.
They expressed confidence in INEC’s leadership while stressing the need for the commission to maintain neutrality and ensure a fair electoral process.
At the same time, the chairmen raised concerns over reported plans by a rival faction led by Nenadi Usman to organise new party congresses at various levels. They warned INEC not to participate in or legitimise such exercises, describing them as a threat to party stability and due process.
The group maintained that the existing party structures were established through legitimate processes monitored by INEC officials and should remain valid unless overturned by a competent court. They urged the commission to avoid involvement in any activities that could undermine the party’s internal arrangements.
