The former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Retired), has issued a stern warning regarding the current trajectory of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN. In a widely circulated policy memo released on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the former security chief alleged that the commission’s recent administrative and legal postures are systematically stifling opposition parties and paving the way for a monolithic political landscape. Dasuki argued that the “Legal Rigidity” and the perceived “Selective Enforcement” of electoral guidelines by the Amupitan-led commission have reached a level where they now constitute a fundamental threat to the survival of multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
The crux of Colonel Dasuki’s critique centers on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s handling of internal leadership crises within major opposition blocs, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). He maintained that the commission’s tendency to side with specific factions—often those perceived as being more “Accommodating” to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—has effectively “De-enfranchised” millions of voters who no longer see a credible alternative on the ballot. The former National Security Adviser cautioned that when a referee is seen as playing for one of the teams, the resulting “Institutional Distrust” can lead to civil unrest and a total breakdown of the social contract.
In response to these allegations, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has consistently maintained that the commission is merely a “Creature of the Law.” During a recent press briefing at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman argued that his administration’s focus on “Strict Constitutionalism” is intended to sanitize the political space by ensuring that parties adhere to their own internal rules. He dismissed the claims of bias as “Political Rhetoric,” asserting that the commission’s primary loyalty is to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the 2026 Electoral Act. However, Dasuki’s intervention suggests that the “Rule of Law” is being utilized as a “Shield” to mask the gradual erosion of political pluralism.
Political analysts and constitutional lawyers observe that the friction between the commission and the opposition highlights a “Fragile Equilibrium” in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. Experts suggest that the “Amupitan Doctrine”—characterized by a refusal to mediate and a reliance on court orders—may be inadvertently “Judicializing” politics, where the fate of political parties is decided in courtrooms rather than at the polls. Analysts argue that for a multi-party democracy to remain vibrant, the umpire must not only be neutral but must actively foster an “Inclusive Environment” where smaller parties are not legislated into extinction through prohibitive administrative hurdles.
The broader implications of this standoff point toward an intensifying “Power Struggle” as the nation moves closer to the 2027 general elections. Colonel Dasuki’s warning has resonated with several civil society organizations, which are now calling for a “National Dialogue” on electoral reform to ensure the independence of the commission. As the international community monitors the situation, the pressure is mounting on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to demonstrate its commitment to a “Level Playing Field.” For the Nigerian electorate, the debate is a reminder that the health of a democracy is measured not just by the conduct of elections, but by the “Resilience of the Opposition” and the impartiality of those who manage the process.
