The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has restated its call for the removal of Prof Joash Amupitan as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking in Wednesday during its 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly in Abuja, SCSN President Sheikh Bashir Umar, said Amupitan’s continued stay in office poses “a serious threat” to the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The council said Muslims across the country would not recognise or legitimise any election conducted under the leadership of an INEC chairman whose integrity, it said, is under a cloud.
Speaking on the theme “Nigeria’s Future: Faith, Justice, and Leadership,” Umar said the demand was anchored on the INEC chairman’s questionable antecedents.
“We are compelled by conscience and by our responsibility to the nation to insist that Prof. Amupitan should step aside.
“The credibility of elections is the foundation of democracy. When that credibility is in doubt, the entire system is at risk,” Umar said.
He cited a legal brief allegedly authored by the INEC chairman, which claimed the existence of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, saying the document had deepened mistrust and raised concerns about impartiality.
“An electoral umpire must not only be neutral, he must be seen to be neutral,” Umar said.
“How can Nigerians, especially Muslims, repose confidence in an INEC chairman who has been linked to such a divisive narrative,” the council’s president questioned.
Umar noted that the Federal Government had repeatedly dismissed the claim contained in the brief, but said the damage to public confidence had already been done.
“The government itself has said there is no such genocide Yet, the fact that the head of our electoral body is associated with that claim is troubling. It creates suspicion and undermines trust in the process,” he said.
According to him, the council’s position is not motivated by religious bias but by concern for national unity and justice.
“This is not about Islam versus Christianity. It is about fairness, justice and leadership. Nigeria’s future depends on leaders and institutions that unite, not divide, our people,” he said.
He warned that proceeding with elections under the current INEC leadership could worsen tensions.
The SCSN called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to act swiftly.
“We want peaceful, credible elections that all Nigerians can accept but if the leadership of INEC remains under this cloud, many Muslims will find it difficult to recognise or legitimise the outcome of such elections.
“We urge the President and relevant authorities to do what is necessary in the interest of national cohesion and democratic stability,” Umar said.
He added that Nigeria deserves an electoral commission that commands the confidence of all.
