Arewa Think Tank cautions opposition parties over

•Backs Ex-Gov Jang’s comments on Jos killings

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

The Arewa Think Tank has strongly condemned calls for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, describing the demand as unjustified and politically motivated.

Speaking on behalf of the group, its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, called for restraint among opposition actors, warning against actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Yakubu stressed that, “the pursuit of political power must not come at the expense of democratic stability”.

INEC itself has dismissed the calls for Amupitan’s resignation, insisting that such demands lack constitutional backing.

Arewa Think Tank noted that, “The tenure and removal of the INEC Chairman are clearly defined under Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution and cannot be influenced by partisan pressure.”

The controversy arose following calls by leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including its National Chairman David Mark, who accused INEC of bias and demanded a leadership overhaul.

The demand followed INEC’s decision to derecognise parts of the party’s leadership amid an on-going internal dispute.

The situation coincided with a high-level opposition meeting in Abuja attended by prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, among others.

However, backing INEC’s position, the Arewa Think Tank reiterated that attempts to forcefully remove the Commission’s leadership outside constitutional procedures pose a threat to democratic governance.

Yakubu emphasized that institutions like INEC must remain independent and protected from political interference.

INEC also used the opportunity to clarify concerns about the on-going nationwide voter revalidation exercise, noting that the initiative is a routine administrative process aimed at improving the credibility of the voter register and not targeted at any political group.

In another development, Arewa Think Tank has thrown its weight behind concerns raised by former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, over the recent spate of killings in Jos and other parts of Nigeria, warning of alleged attempts to destabilize the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Yakubu made the remarks while reacting to Jang’s condemnation of the deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, which claimed at least 28 lives on Palm Sunday.