Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a former presidential candidate, has demanded the resignation of Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the release of the timetable for the 2027 general elections. He criticized the adjusted schedule for party primaries, claiming it oversteps INEC’s constitutional boundaries and unfairly favors the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Olawepo-Hashim argued that INEC should not dictate when political parties conduct their primaries, stating that its role is limited to ensuring compliance with deadlines for candidate submissions. He expressed concerns that the new schedule would undermine opposition parties already dealing with internal disputes.
He described the adjustments as an attempt to destabilize the opposition, emphasizing that INEC’s authority should not extend to the internal affairs of political parties. Hashim insists that for the upcoming elections to be credible, a reconstitution of the electoral commission is essential to restore public confidence.
The call for resignation comes amid ongoing debates regarding the independence and neutrality of INEC, especially with the approaching 2027 elections.
