Arewa Group Opposes Calls to Remove INEC Chairman

The Arewa group has strongly condemned the opposition's calls for the removal of Professor Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, representing the group, described these demands as unjustified and politically motivated.

He urged restraint among opposition actors, warning that such actions could undermine Nigeria's democratic institutions. Yakubu emphasized that the pursuit of political power should not come at the expense of democratic stability.

He dismissed the calls for Amupitan's resignation, stating that there is no constitutional backing for the removal of the INEC chairman, as defined in Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution. The controversy arose following demands from leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including its National Chairman David Mark, who accused INEC of bias.

This situation coincided with a high-level opposition meeting in Abuja, attended by prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, who reiterated their attempts to forcefully remove INEC's leadership outside constitutional procedures.