The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Saturday warned that if the National chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, is allowed to conduct the 2027 general elections, the consequences will be better imagined.
The ADC National chairman Senator David Mark gave the warning at the on-going National Opposition Leaders Summit in Ibadan on Saturday, emphasising that the umpire has become so partial that Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral body.
Mark, who warned that Nigeria may likely witness the most distrusted elections since the advent of democracy added: “Let me use this opportunity to emphasise once again, that the credibility of our democracy rests on the neutrality and integrity of its electoral institutions. When the referee clearly and proudly wears the jersey of one of the teams in a match he should be officiating, then the legitimacy of the entire process is undermined. In this instance, Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral body, INEC. INEC is no longer an impartial umpire.
“And if nothing changes, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan is about to preside over the most distrusted election in Nigerian history. The consequences are better left to imagination.”
The ADC helmsman described the gathering as an urgent response to the nation’s call to patriotic duty, stressing that history will remember each of them.
“History will ask, what did we do? What role did we play? All of us here and millions who are with us but for one reason or the other are not here physically will answer positively.
“The call to rescue Nigeria is not a mere opposition slogan nut it is evident for all of us to see.
“From the avoidable protracted insurgency and terrorism, to the relentless banditry and mass kidnappings, to the steady rise of violent crimes in our urban centres, Nigeria faces a historic challenge.
“The statistics are frightening. In 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded more than 12,000 conflict-related deaths.Yet, the government, whose primary duty it is to protect the citizens, carry on with a shocking indifference as if nothing is wrong.
“We are a nation that is constantly in mourning, a nation burying its citizens with alarming regularity, a nation crying out for leadership and protection,” he said.
Mark reminded the gathering that they have a responsibility that is far more important than partisan sentiment, personal interest, or personal ambition.
“What is at stake; the very survival and restoration of our country is greater than every single one of us. It involves sacrifice by every member in the opposition.
“We must remember what has brought us here. We must remain clear that we cannot confront the future as fragmented entities. We must be united to salvage our nation. It is for these reasons that this gathering and our dealings must be anchored on honesty and integrity. We must put all our cards faced up on the table and speak truthfully to one another. There must be no hidden agendas, no last-minute surprises, and no room for distrust.
“Perhaps, more than anything else, the success of our collective effort depends on our ability to build and sustain trust.
“We are racing against time and operating within a limited window. “The urgency of our situation does not permit repeated mistakes. We must be willing to rise above narrow sentiments and reject petty parochialism that has historically divided the oppositions in this country. This is the time to rewrite the story of coalition building in Nigeria,” Mark said.
