Rivers ADC joins #AmupitanMustGo protest, occupies INEC

…Rejects ‘one-party state’

The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has joined the party’s national leadership in calling for Joash Amupitan’s resignation as INEC Chairman.

Party members led by Chukwudi Dimkpa, the State Chairman-elect, staged a protest march, on Wednesday, culminating at INEC’s Port Harcourt Office on Aba Expressway.

With hashtags like #AmupitanMustGo and #NoToOnePartySystem, the protesters brought traffic and activities on the busy road to a standstill.

A statement from party leaders said ADC members, joined by concerned citizens and pro-democracy advocates, staged a peaceful protest at INEC’s Rivers Office to voice deep dissatisfaction with Amupitan’s leadership.

The party said the protest was driven by their firm belief that Nigeria’s electoral process is under serious threat: ‘We strongly assert that the current INEC Chairman shows clear bias and lacks neutrality, disqualifying him from leading credible, transparent elections.’

“An electoral umpire must be impartial, fair, and committed to democratic principles. When the leadership of such an institution becomes compromised, it not only erodes public trust but also endangers the very foundation of democracy. A biased umpire is, without question, a traitor to democracy and the collective will of the people,” the release said.

The party demanded the immediate resignation of the INEC chairman, arguing that his continued stay in office poses a grave risk to the credibility of future elections in Nigeria.

“‘Furthermore, we strongly condemn any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government to manipulate the electoral system to turn Nigeria into a one-party state,’ the release continued. ‘Such actions are unacceptable and contrary to democratic principles.

“Nigeria belongs to all its citizens, and its democracy must be protected through free, fair, and credible elections by a truly independent electoral body.

“We reaffirm our commitment to peaceful civic engagement and call on all well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the international community to stand in defense of democracy,” they said.

Omeitte Yelowe, the ADC Youth Leader, demanded in a letter to the INEC Chairman, the “immediate restoration of the party’s leadership under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and defence of Nigeria’s democratic order.”

He said, “We write with urgency and unwavering resolve, further to our press conference on Monday, April 6, 2026, wherein the Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) issued a 72-hour ultimatum to your commission.

“That ultimatum expired without compliance,’ the letter stated. ‘Your failure to act has not only aggravated public concern but also reinforced perceptions of institutional bias, constitutional overreach, and deliberate undermining of democratic norms by the commission.

“Following the expiration of our 72-hour ultimatum, we formally notify you that ADC Youth Wing members, with concerned Nigerians and civil society groups, have begun peacefully occupying INEC offices nationwide, across all 36 states and the FCT,” Yelowe said.

The youth wing further demanded the immediate resignation or removal of INEC Chairman Amupitan “for actions eroding public confidence in the commission.”