Sharia Council Rejects INEC Chairman Amupitan, Vows to Disregard Elections Under Him
Sharia Council Rejects INEC Chairman Amupitan, Vows to Disregard Elections Under Him
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has officially declared that the Muslim community will not recognize or legitimize any election conducted under the leadership of the current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.
The Council argues that Amupitan’s continued presence in office significantly undermines the credibility of the nation’s democratic process.
This stance was voiced by the Council’s President, Sheikh Bashir Umar, during the 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly held in Abuja.
According to Umar, the Council’s decision is based on what they describe as the INEC chairman’s “questionable antecedents,” which they believe compromise his neutrality as an impartial electoral umpire.
The specific point of contention involves a legal brief allegedly authored by Professor Amupitan, which the Council claims sought to establish the existence of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
Sheikh Umar noted that this position directly conflicts with the Federal Government’s official stance, which has repeatedly denied the existence of such a genocide.
During the assembly, Sheikh Umar stated “This is not the first time the Council is taking this position. In the legal brief he personally sent, he sought to establish the existence of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, a position that is in direct conflict with the stance of the Federal Government, which has categorically stated that no such genocide exists.”
The Council has renewed its call for Amupitan’s immediate removal or resignation, asserting that integrity and impartiality are non-negotiable for anyone leading the nation’s electoral body.
They emphasized that if he does not resign honorably, the government should take action to dismiss or retire him to maintain public trust in the democratic system.
Beyond the leadership of INEC, the SCSN also used the forum to address several national issues, including worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and alleged imbalances in federal appointments.
They warned that divisive narratives, such as claims of religious persecution, pose a serious threat to national unity and social cohesion.
Supporting this view at the event, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji and other prominent figures emphasized the importance of guidance from religious scholars during periods of political tension.
They stressed that unverified claims of religious genocide are misleading and urged for a focus on justice and peaceful coexistence to ensure a stable future for Nigeria.
