Fresh calls for sack of INEC chairman emerges as Northerners fume, justify SCSN position
Supreme Council for Shari’ah Calls for INEC Chairman’s Removal
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) issued a statement clarifying its call for the removal and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan. The Council emphasized that its position is unrelated to religious concerns.
Last week, the SCSN demanded Amupitan’s immediate dismissal, citing allegations of compromised integrity after he reportedly confirmed claims of persecution against Christians in Nigeria in a legal document. This demand has drawn criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), particularly from its chapters in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. CAN accused the SCSN of politicizing religion.
In a statement released to DAILY POST on February 2, the Council clarified that its resolution was adopted during its Annual Pre-Ramadan Conference on January 28 and was subsequently misrepresented. The SCSN stated that its concerns are based on national unity and the constitutional neutrality required of electoral authorities, rather than Amupitan’s religious affiliations.
“The Council maintains that its position is not driven by sectarian interests, but by serious concerns about national integrity and constitutional principles,” the statement read. The SCSN noted that since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the majority of electoral body leaders have been Christians, and Muslims have not opposed their appointments on the basis of faith.
“Historically, most heads of Nigeria’s electoral institutions have been Christians. Among the thirteen chairpersons of the Commission, only two have been Muslims. At no point have Muslims opposed these appointments based on religious considerations,” the Council asserted.
The SCSN pointed to Amupitan’s documented history, particularly a 2020 legal brief that it characterized as offensive and prejudicial towards Nigerian Muslims and Northern Nigeria. This document allegedly claimed a genocide against Christians and attempted to link current insecurity to the historical jihad led by Sheikh Uthman bin Fodio.
“These assertions are historically inaccurate and potentially destabilizing in Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape,” the statement continued. The SCSN also expressed concern that such claims were presented to international audiences, depicting Nigeria as a country facing religious extermination.
“This conduct represents a significant breach of civic responsibility and contradicts the neutrality expected of an INEC chairman,” the Council added. It firmly rejected the narrative of a Christian genocide, asserting that violence in Northern Nigeria impacts both Christians and Muslims, with available data indicating Muslims are often the majority victims in affected states.
“Promoting a one-dimensional narrative of persecution is dishonest,” the SCSN stated, noting that Amupitan has neither denied authorship of the controversial document nor issued a retraction, while the Federal Government has been compelled to counter these claims internationally.
The Council pointed to the national embarrassment and reputational harm caused by the situation, suggesting that these consequences suffice for Amupitan’s dismissal and accountability.
Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, President of the SCSN and Imam of Al-Furqan Mosque in Kano, reiterated that the issue centers on integrity rather than religious affiliation. He described the Council as an advocacy group, not a political entity, and urged the President to heed their call for removal, reflecting the interests of many Muslims and religious leaders.
Meanwhile, the discourse has prompted reactions from various quarters. Mukhtar Adnan, a former Kano State House of Assembly aspirant, stated that trust in INEC is at stake if Amupitan remains in his position. He criticized accusations made in the alleged letter to international entities, noting that such a stance raises questions about the chairman’s neutrality.
Comrade Nura Usman, a politician and youth activist, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that INEC leadership must be completely neutral to maintain public trust. He cautioned that ignoring the SCSN’s call could have serious ramifications for electoral confidence and national unity.
Both Adnan and Usman called for decisive action from the President, including appointing a replacement without credibility issues, to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. Usman further urged the President to communicate transparently with stakeholders about any changes to leadership within INEC.
The unfolding situation highlights significant concerns regarding the impartiality and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral oversight as political tensions remain high.
