The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Joash Amupitan, has been called to resign by the Obidient Movement due to the electoral body’s decision regarding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership issue.
The group bemoaned the recent occurrence as a danger to Nigeria’s democracy and called for a statewide protest in a statement.
Nigerians were cautioned by the movement that staying silent during this time is risky and demonstrates complicity.
There are times in a country’s history when inaction turns into complicity and silence turns into peril. Nigeria has reached this point, the statement said.
The movement claimed that under the current administration, INEC is no longer seen as unbiased.
It said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which ought to serve as an unbiased protector of the people’s will, is increasingly seen as compromised under the current administration.”
It also warned of possible dangers to Nigeria’s multi-party system, saying that opposition voices seem to be under increasing pressure.
“The people’s will is jeopardized when institutions lose credibility.” And citizens are obligated to take action when it occurs,” the group stated.
Citing “gross abuse of office, loss of public trust, and failure to uphold the neutrality required of that office,” the Obidient Movement made resignation of the INEC chairman one of its main demands.
The group also called for the preservation of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and “an immediate end to political persecution, including all forms of intimidation, harassment, and targeting of opposition voices.”
Additionally, it demanded “complete respect for party autonomy, ensuring that the integrity and internal leadership of political parties, including ADC, are not interfered with.”
The campaign declared that it will start a statewide demonstration in every state and the Federal Capital Territory under the hashtag #OccupyINEC.
The statement read, “We are launching a nationwide peaceful protest in defense of these principles, beginning immediately across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.”
