ADC accuses INEC of rigging FCT Area Council Elections; demands resignation of INEC chairman.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that recent electoral activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) raise serious concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, warning that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may face a trust crisis ahead of future elections.
In a strongly worded political statement, party figures claimed that during the FCT local government election, some voters experienced unexpected changes to their polling units, alleging that many discovered on election day that their voter locations had been reassigned to areas outside their communities.
According to the claims, some affected voters were reportedly unable to cast their ballots after allegedly being redirected to distant polling units, with the party describing the situation as disenfranchisement. These assertions have not been independently verified. The ADC further alleged that an unannounced voter-related administrative exercise was initiated and later suspended following public backlash. The party argues that such actions, if not properly communicated, risk undermining public confidence in the electoral system.
The statement also referenced political actors including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, suggesting that election-day logistics and movement restrictions may have contributed to voter access challenges. These claims remain part of ongoing political debate and have not been substantiated with official evidence.
At the centre of the controversy is INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, whom the party and its supporters are calling on to resign, alleging bias and administrative misconduct. INEC has not issued a direct response to the specific accusations contained in the statement.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has consistently maintained that all voter register updates and polling unit adjustments are conducted in line with established procedures and legal frameworks.
As political tensions rise, analysts say the dispute reflects broader mistrust between opposition parties and electoral authorities, particularly in the build-up to future elections.
While Abuja residents complained about the overnight change of their Polling units; INEC has not confirmed any irregular voter revalidation exercise as described in the allegations.