A fresh political storm is building as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has openly accused the head of Nigeria’s electoral body of bias, warning that the future of credible elections is at risk.
The group, led by Tanimu Turaki, is demanding the resignation of Joash Amupitan, who currently chairs the Independent National Electoral Commission. According to them, his alleged political leaning could damage public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the concerns are not new. He insisted that the chairman has repeatedly shown signs of partiality and has not acted like a neutral umpire.
Ememobong explained that the situation has now reached a critical point. In his view, the perceived bias of the electoral chief is no longer just a concern but a serious threat to free and fair elections. He stressed that the credibility of the entire electoral process could be undermined if nothing changes.
He also argued that stepping down now would be the best way forward. According to him, an early resignation would help rebuild public confidence and give Nigerians hope that the next election will be transparent and credible.
The criticism is not coming from one side alone. The African Democratic Congress has also raised alarm over the issue. Its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the alleged past political comments linked to the chairman as deeply troubling. He said such actions go against the integrity expected of someone in charge of overseeing elections.
The party warned that if the situation is not addressed, it could lead to widespread civil disobedience, signaling possible unrest among citizens who may lose faith in the system.
Civil society groups have joined the call as well. ActionAid has demanded that Amupitan step aside following allegations tied to his past social media activity.
A representative of the group, Mamedu, pointed to screenshots circulating online. These images reportedly show the chairman engaging in political discussions before taking office, including posts that appeared to support narratives linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Mamedu expressed concern over how the electoral body has handled the controversy. He criticized the commission’s denial that the account belongs to the chairman, arguing that dismissing the claims despite growing digital evidence only increases public suspicion instead of clearing doubts.
As tensions rise, the debate is shifting from mere allegations to a broader question about trust. With multiple political parties and civic groups speaking out, the pressure on the electoral commission and its leadership continues to grow, setting the stage for a major test of credibility ahead of the next national vote.
