The 36 elected state chairmen of the Labour Party have rejected calls for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, urging aggrieved groups to follow due process while also warning against moves to conduct fresh congresses within the party.
The position was made known on Tuesday in Abuja by the Secretary of the Forum of Elected State Chairmen and National Executive Committee, Abdurrahim Chindo, amid rising political tension over allegations linked to the INEC chairman.
The controversy followed a call by the African Democratic Congress for Amupitan’s resignation over an alleged 2023 social media post perceived to be supportive of President Bola Tinubu, a claim the party described as capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral system.
However, distancing themselves from the demand, the Labour Party chairmen insisted that emotional reactions and social media campaigns should not replace established constitutional procedures in addressing concerns about public officials.
“Nigeria is the only country we have, and INEC as an electoral umpire is independent. Therefore, if a group or some aggrieved persons are calling for the resignation of Amupitan or any similar government appointee, they should follow certain procedures instead of rushing to social media with such emotion or sentiments,” Chindo said.
He added, “We, as a political party, commend INEC, and we are optimistic that the commission will continue to remain independent as it is. But count us out of those calling for his resignation. We are not a part of it.”
While expressing conditional support, the LP leaders maintained that the commission must uphold democratic standards, noting that it would not hesitate to call out any deviation.
“However, that is not to say that if he does things contrary to democratic values, we will not hesitate to speak out and criticise them. But for now, we are comfortable with Amupitan’s performance and urge him to also create a level playing field for free, fair, and credible elections,” Chindo stated.
Beyond the resignation debate, the chairmen raised concerns over what they described as attempts by a rival faction of the party to organise fresh congresses at various levels, warning that such actions could destabilise the party.
“We are compelled to address this press conference in light of credible information suggesting that INEC may be under pressure, or is being influenced, to monitor or recognise a fresh round of so-called ‘state congresses’ by a faction of the party that has no legal or constitutional foundation,” he said.
Describing the move as a threat to institutional integrity, Chindo stressed that the current party structures emerged from a lawful and duly monitored process, insisting that only a court of competent jurisdiction could invalidate them.
“Let it be clear: this is not politics; this is an attempted institutional sabotage. We are not self-appointed actors. We are products of a completed statutory and democratic process duly conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act, monitored by INEC and recognised by law. Consequently, no authority other than a court of competent jurisdiction can nullify congresses duly monitored by INEC,” he warned.
