Why We Want INEC Chair Removed — Supreme Shari’a Council Clarifies
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has clarified that its recent call for the removal and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, is not driven by religious considerations but by concerns over alleged bias, institutional integrity, and threats to national cohesion.
The clarification followed widespread public reactions to a resolution adopted during the Council’s Annual Pre-Ramadan Conference and General Assembly, held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, which included a demand for the INEC chairman’s removal—a position that drew heightened attention due to its political sensitivity.
In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Nafi’u Baba Ahmad, mni, the Council said the resolution had been “grossly misconstrued and amplified out of context,” prompting the need to address what it described as persistent misrepresentations.
According to the SCSN, its position is anchored on “grave concerns relating to national cohesion, institutional integrity, constitutionalism, and sovereignty,” rather than religion or sectarian sentiment.
Rejection of Religious Motivation Claims
The Council rejected allegations that its stance was rooted in religious bias, noting that Nigeria’s electoral leadership since independence has never been contested on religious grounds by Muslims.
It recalled that Nigeria has conducted elections through several electoral bodies—from the Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) to FEDECO, NEC, and the current INEC—and that the overwhelming majority of electoral commission chairmen have historically been Christians.
“Of the thirteen chairmen who have led Nigeria’s electoral institutions, only two were Muslims. At no point have Muslims mobilised opposition against any electoral chairman on the basis of religion,” the Council stated, adding that leadership acceptance has always been based on institutional legitimacy, not faith.
Concerns Over Alleged Conduct and Writings
The SCSN said what distinguishes Prof. Amupitan’s case is not his religion but what it described as a “documented record of conduct and views” incompatible with the neutrality expected of an electoral umpire.
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Central to the Council’s concern is a 2020 legal brief, reportedly attributed to Prof. Amupitan and now circulating in the public domain, which allegedly contains “provocative and deeply prejudicial assertions” against Nigerian Muslims, the historical Caliphate, and Northern Nigeria.
The Council specifically faulted claims of an alleged “Christian genocide” and attempts to link contemporary insecurity in Northern Nigeria to the 19th-century Jihad of Sheikh Uthman bin Fodio, describing such assertions as historically inaccurate and potentially destabilising in a multi-religious federation.
Allegations of International Repercussions
More troubling, according to the SCSN, is the alleged presentation of these claims to foreign actors, which it said portrayed Nigeria as a theatre of religious extermination and exposed the country to unwarranted international scrutiny and pressure.
Such actions, the Council argued, amount to a breach of patriotic responsibility and are incompatible with the neutrality, restraint, and national loyalty required of the INEC chairman.
The Council noted that Prof. Amupitan has neither denied authorship of the document nor issued any apology or retraction since the controversy emerged. It added that the Federal Government has reportedly been forced to debunk the claims publicly and engage in diplomatic efforts to reassure foreign governments and institutions.
Impact on National Image
According to the SCSN, Nigeria has suffered reputational damage, financial costs, and international embarrassment as a result of the allegations, citing media reports that millions of dollars may have been spent on foreign lobbyists to counter the fallout.
“In any responsible society, these consequences alone constitute sufficient grounds for resignation, removal, and legal accountability,” the statement said.
Call for Electoral Integrity and Unity
The Council stressed that overseeing Nigeria’s electoral system demands the highest standards of impartiality, inclusiveness, and public trust, arguing that anyone perceived to harbour prejudice against a major faith group cannot command confidence in a plural society.
It reiterated that its position is based strictly on “character, conduct, and credibility,” not religion, and reaffirmed its support for the appointment of Christians and people of all faiths to leadership positions.
The SCSN also urged the Nigerian Christian community not to be misled by what it described as divisive narratives driven by personal or ideological interests, while reaffirming the Muslim Ummah’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and justice for all Nigerians.
By PRNigeria
