Sen. David Mark, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suffered a total loss of public trust.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, Mark asserted that under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, the commission is no longer capable of delivering credible or transparent elections.
The briefing, which followed INEC’s recent decision to derecognize Mark’s leadership of the ADC, served as a platform to demand the immediate resignation or dismissal of Prof. Amupitan and all national commissioners.
The event saw a significant show of opposition unity, attended by prominent figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, and John Odigie-Oyegun.
INEC had suspended recognition of all ADC leadership factions after a Court of Appeal ruling and ongoing litigation over the party’s leadership structure.
But Mark said the action of INEC had intensified political tensions and raised fresh questions about the commission’s independence.
“We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the national commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election,” Mark said at the press confrence.
He claimed that while INEC is posturing to be neutral, its actions clearly confirm that it has become irredeemably partisan in both conduct and decision-making.
“With its actions, this INEC has left no one in doubt that it is complicit in undermining Nigeria’s democracy and can no longer be trusted,” he said.
Mark confirmed the party’s intent to move forward with its national convention, clarifying that, having served the necessary legal notifications, the party is not dependent on INEC’s attendance to validate its internal processes.
Citing the events of Wednesday, April 1, Mark invited international scrutiny of INEC’s conduct, characterizing it as a threat to the nation’s political stability.
He maintained that continued interference in the internal affairs of political parties undermines the integrity of the electoral system.
Consequently, he called on the Nigerian electorate to remain engaged and defensive of their democratic rights.
Mark addressed the party’s recent leadership restructuring, describing it as a strategic move supported by stakeholders across all blocs.
He stated that these reforms were conducted in strict accordance with the ADC constitution to ensure the party remains a robust contender in future polls.
Mark disclosed that a NEC meeting held on July 29, 2025, and monitored by INEC, dissolved the National Working Committee.
The meeting, he said, also approved the establishment of a caretaker leadership to oversee the party’s activities during the transition period.
According to him, the caretaker committee was mandated to stabilise the party and prepare the ground for a credible and inclusive national convention.
Mark said the caretaker committee included himself as chairman and Mr Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, alongside other officials managing the party’s affairs.
He added that the resolutions reached at the NEC meeting were formally communicated to INEC in line with regulatory requirements.
According to him, INEC subsequently updated the party’s leadership records based on the resolutions and decisions reached during the NEC meeting.
Mark further disclosed that former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, had earlier resigned from his position within the party.
He said Bala’s resignation was duly documented and transmitted to INEC in full compliance with all applicable legal and administrative procedures.
He said the presence of prominent party leaders at the briefing underscored broad support within the party for the ongoing reforms and the demand for accountability in Nigeria’s electoral system.
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