The Kwankwasiyya Movement has called for the immediate resignation of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing what it described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy driven by judicial inconsistencies and the electoral body’s conduct.
In a press statement issued on April 2, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, the group said the INEC chairman had “lost the moral authority, public trust, and institutional credibility required to continue in office”, warning that his continued stay poses a risk to democratic stability and national unity.
The movement linked its demand to recent developments surrounding the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where INEC suspended recognition of factions pending judicial determination. It argued that the situation reflects a troubling pattern of conflicting court rulings and administrative decisions that weaken political parties and undermine opposition platforms.
According to the group, similar disputes have affected other major parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), resulting in prolonged leadership crises and institutional uncertainty.
The statement noted that these developments have eroded internal party democracy and narrowed the political space required for a competitive democratic system.
It further accused the judiciary of disregarding established legal principles, including the doctrine of stare decisis, and criticised courts of coordinate jurisdiction for issuing conflicting orders on similar matters—an issue it said undermines judicial credibility and complicates electoral management.
The group also faulted INEC for introducing a voter revalidation exercise ahead of key elections, describing it as ill-timed and potentially disenfranchising millions of eligible voters.
“This revalidation exercise bears all the hallmarks of a systemic trap capable of suppressing voter turnout and distorting electoral participation,” the statement said.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement warned that the combined effect of judicial inconsistencies, internal party crises, and INEC’s actions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Beyond the resignation demand, the group called for the immediate suspension of the voter revalidation exercise and urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene in addressing conflicting court rulings.
It also called on political actors to desist from using the judiciary for partisan advantage and urged civil society and the international community to remain vigilant in defending Nigeria’s democratic space.
“Democracy cannot survive where political parties are incapacitated by judicial confusion and where the electoral umpire is perceived to be complicit,” the statement added.
Kwankwasiyya Movement demands INEC chairman’s resignation
