Chidi Anselm Odinkalu has claimed that the Nigerian presidency pressured Professor Joash Amupitan to act against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress-backed Democratic Change (ADC) party. According to Odinkalu, a pre-signed resignation letter for Amupitan—allegedly a pre-condition for his appointment—was used to compel the removal of David Mark and other ADC leaders from INEC’s official portal.

Odinkalu criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for interpreting the Court of Appeal’s ruling on ADC’s leadership dispute instead of seeking formal clarification from the court. In a social media post, he alleged a coordinated meeting involving the INEC leadership, the presidency, the Court of Appeal, and the Federal High Court preceded the delisting action. He warned that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting separately, former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank described INEC and the federal government’s move as illegal and potentially destabilising, likening the situation to historical efforts to suppress democratic institutions during the regime of former Head of State Sani Abacha. Frank noted similar patterns of interference in opposition parties, including PDP, Labour Party, SDP, and NNPP, suggesting a broader strategy to weaken political competition.

Heightened security measures were observed at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, and NSCDC cordoning off entry points amid protests and potential gatherings by ADC and the Obidient Movement.

Meanwhile, Samson Itodo praised INEC’s voter revalidation policy as necessary but cautioned that its timing could complicate the 2027 electoral cycle. He noted that ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, imminent political primaries, and delayed funding for INEC make a nationwide revalidation exercise risky, potentially suppressing voter participation.

The controversy underscores growing tension between electoral administration, political actors, and civil society as Nigeria approaches the next general elections.