A group of supporters of Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election has called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, over allegations of partisanship.
The group, under the banner of “Peter Obi Our President” (PETOOP), made the demand in Jos on Saturday during a press conference. Its National Convener, Magnus Oraka, accused the INEC chairman of bias in handling political party affairs, raising concerns about the commission’s neutrality.
Oraka stated that recent actions attributed to INEC suggest a lack of impartiality, warning that any electoral body perceived to favour a particular political party cannot be trusted to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
“We demand the immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman in the interest of electoral integrity,” Oraka said.
“If he refuses, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must demonstrate leadership by taking decisive action. If the executive fails, the National Assembly must exercise its constitutional authority to protect Nigeria’s democracy,” he added.
He further warned that if Amupitan fails to resign, the group would mobilise its members in the diaspora to seek international intervention to compel the INEC chairman to step down.
Oraka also alleged that INEC has interfered in the internal affairs of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that such actions exceed the commission’s constitutional mandate of regulation and supervision.
According to him, when an electoral body begins to influence internal party leadership or disputes, it undermines the democratic process and erodes public trust.
On the 2027 elections, Oraka advised the ADC to zone its presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, cautioning that presenting a northern candidate could split opposition votes and weaken chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He argued that with the APC consolidating its support base in the North, zoning the ticket to the South would promote equity, strengthen opposition unity, and prevent what he described as an avoidable electoral disadvantage.
Oraka maintained that a compromised electoral umpire cannot guarantee transparency, fairness, or accountability, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected above individual interests. He added that PETOOP would continue to mobilise for accountability.
