The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has renewed its call for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, citing concerns over the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process under his leadership.
The Council warned that Muslims across the country may not recognise or legitimise any election conducted by INEC while Professor Amupitan remains in office, arguing that lingering questions about his integrity pose a serious threat to public trust in the electoral system.
The call was made on Tuesday by the President of the Council, Sheikh Bashir Umar, during the SCSN’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly held in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria’s Future: Faith, Justice, and Leadership,” Sheikh Umar said the Council’s position was informed by what he described as the INEC chairman’s questionable antecedents.
He specifically referenced a legal brief reportedly authored by Professor Amupitan, which alleged the existence of a Christian genocide in Nigeria.
According to Sheikh Umar, the Federal Government has on several occasions dismissed such claims, further raising concerns about the appropriateness of the INEC chairman’s continued stay in office.
He stressed that for Nigeria’s democracy to command confidence across religious and regional lines, the leadership of the electoral body must be seen as impartial, credible, and free from controversy.
The Council urged the Federal Government to act swiftly in order to safeguard national cohesion and restore confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of future polls.
