Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), yesterday said he would not resign based on the demand by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) concerning the interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgement on leadership tussle of the party.

INEC in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, drew the attention of ADC to the appointment, tenure, and removal of the Chairman and National Commissioners, pointing out that they are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Amupitan said: “The Chairman does not hold office at the pleasure of any political party or interest group. “Any call for removal outside the established constitutional process is not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.”

He explained that the INEC decided to comply with the judgement of the Court of Appeal to avert a situation that occurred in Zamfara State and Plateau State where elected officials were removed by the Election Tribunal on account of the disobedience of Court judgement.

“In addition, the commission did not want to disobey the preservative order of the court not to do anything or take any step that would render the processes already filed at the Federal High Court nugatory.

“Proceeding to monitor the congress and convention of the David Mark-led ADC would amount to a disobedience of that order since the relief claimed in the originating summons and other court processes filed include an order restraining INEC from monitoring any meeting, congress and convention of the party,” he said.

Amupitan stated that it was only on September 9, 2025 that INEC accepted and approved David Mark’s exco, which was seven days after the matter was filed at the Federal High Court. “The order to maintain status quo ante bellum means the position of the parties before the beginning of hostilities.

“It is either that INEC obey the order of the Court of Appeal fully or refuse to obey it. “Section 287(2) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 mandates every person and authority in Nigeria not only to obey the judgement of the Court of Appeal but also to enforce such judgement,” he added.