The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has renewed its name for the rapid removing of the Chairman of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee, Joash Amupitan, insisting that his continued keep in workplace poses a critical threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic course of.
The Council stated muslims throughout the nation wouldn’t recognise or legitimise any election carried out beneath the management of an INEC chairman whose integrity is beneath such a cloud.
President of the Council, Sheikh Bashir Umar, made the decision on Tuesday through the Council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and Basic Meeting in Abuja.
Talking on the theme “Nigeria’s Future: Religion, Justice, and Management,” Umar stated the Council’s demand was anchored on what he stated is the INEC chairman’s questionable antecedents, significantly a authorized temporary he authored, which alleged the existence of a Christian genocide in Nigeria.
He stated the Federal Authorities has repeatedly dismissed the declare.
“This isn’t the primary time the Council is taking this place. Within the authorized temporary he personally despatched, he sought to determine the existence of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, a place that’s in direct battle with the official stance of the Federal Authorities, which has categorically said that no such genocide exists”, the cleric stated.
Umar stated the place taken by the INEC chairman at the moment amounted to divisive propaganda and raised critical issues about his neutrality as the top of Nigeria’s electoral umpire.
“For an umpire in a democratic course of, you need to have somebody whose integrity just isn’t compromised and who’s clearly unbiased. So far as we’re involved, his integrity has been compromised. The honourable factor for him to do is to resign. If he doesn’t, the federal government ought to dismiss or retire him.
He clarified that whereas the Council itself is an advocacy physique and never instantly concerned in litigation, it’s conscious that different {groups} have approached courts of competent jurisdiction to problem the chairman’s appointment and continued keep in workplace.
“The Council should stay resolute on this demand and has clearly said that the Ummah won’t recognise or legitimise any election presided over by a personality with questionable integrity, as democratic credibility mustn’t ever be compromised”, he added.
The council used the discussion board to specific issues over worsening insecurity, {economic} hardship, poor funds implementation, alleged imbalance in federal appointments, and makes an attempt to undermine Muslims’ constitutional proper to practise Shari’ah in Muslim-majority states.
It additionally rejected narratives of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, including that such claims gas division and threaten nationwide cohesion.
Additionally talking, Chairman of the Home of Representatives Committee on Ecological Funds and member representing Kaura-Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, Aminu Sani Jaji, stated the timing of the Pre-Ramadan lecture was vital given the nation’s safety and socio-political challenges.
Jaji stated Ramadan remained a interval of deep religious reflection for Muslims, including that steerage from spiritual students was important at a time when Nigeria was dealing with insecurity and heightened spiritual and political tensions.
He warned that unverified claims and divisive narratives, together with allegations of spiritual persecution, may worsen nationwide cohesion if not responsibly addressed.
Referring to Nigeria’s designation by america as a rustic of specific concern, Jaji described claims of a “Christian genocide” as deceptive, stressing that Nigeria remained a secular state.
On his half, the Madakin Zazzau, Mal. Muhammadu Munir Ja’afaru stated that since its institution, the council has served as a reputable, principled, and brave voice of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.
“It has persistently demonstrated concern not just for spiritual issues but additionally for the broader well-being, unity, and improvement of our nation.
“The Council has distinguished itself by way of strategic engagements, offering steerage rooted within the Qur’an and Sunnah, defending constitutional rights, selling peaceable coexistence, advocating justice, and constructively partaking authorities and society on vital nationwide points”, he stated.