Opposition Leaders Unite to Condemn Alleged One-Party State Agenda and Demand Removal of INEC Chairman

Nigerian opposition leaders allege a plot to impose a one-party state and demand the resignation of INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 4:43 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAYLIVE

A United Front Against an Alleged One-Party Agenda

In a significant political development, a coalition of Nigeria’s most influential opposition leaders has raised an alarm over what they describe as a calculated plot to impose a one-party state. At a joint press conference held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso joined ADC National Chairman David Mark to denounce the current political trajectory. The group accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a tool to dismantle opposition structures in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The INEC Leadership Dispute and ADC Delisting

The immediate catalyst for this outcry was INEC’s decision to remove the names of key ADC national leaders, including Chairman David Mark and Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, from its official website. INEC cited a court order to maintain the "status quo ante bellum" regarding a leadership dispute within the party. However, Mark argued that INEC’s interpretation of the status quo is legally flawed and intentionally designed to leave the ADC leaderless. He contended that the commission ignored the party’s internal NEC resolutions from July 2025, which had been duly monitored and documented by INEC officials themselves.

Demands for the Sack of Professor Joash Amupitan

The opposition coalition has formally demanded the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, along with all National Commissioners. They alleged that the commission has become "irredeemably partisan" and is no longer capable of conducting a transparent or credible election in 2027. By interfering in the internal leadership of the ADC, the leaders claim INEC is effectively sabotaging the party's participation in the upcoming Osun and Ekiti elections, as well as its scheduled national convention in April 2026.