INEC Chairman Faces Fresh Calls for Sack as Northerners Rally Behind SCSN

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, should be removed and prosecuted, according to the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), which has explained that its stance has nothing to do with religion.

Recall that SCSN sought Amupitan’s immediate firing and prosecution last week, claiming that his integrity was compromised after he allegedly acknowledged in a legal brief allegations of persecution and genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory criticized the Council for calling for the removal of the INEC Chairman and warned against using religion as a political weapon in response to the SCSN’s call for Amupitan’s removal and prosecution.

The Council stated in a statement released on Wednesday, February 2, that although its resolution was approved at its Annual Pre-Ramadan Conference and General Assembly on January 28, 2026, it was subsequently misunderstood and exaggerated.

SCSN claims that rather than the INEC chairman’s religious affiliation, the call was motivated by worries about national cohesion, constitutional duty, and the impartiality expected of an electoral arbiter.

The statement stated, “The Council unequivocally states that its position is motivated by grave concerns relating to national cohesion, institutional integrity, and constitutionalism, not by religion or sectarian considerations.”

The Council noted that since Nigeria gained its independence in 1960, the majority of electoral bodies’ leaders have been Christians, and that Muslims have never objected to their appointments on religious grounds.

Christians have made up the vast majority of individuals in charge of Nigeria’s voting institutions since Eyo Esua in 1964. Just two of the Commission’s thirteen chairmen—Prof. Attahiru Jega and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu—are Muslims. Muslims have never organized opposition to any chairman on the basis of their faith. Their acceptance was based on institutional legitimacy rather than religious belief. The assertion that the current call stems from religious bias is categorically refuted by this historical record, according to SCSN.

According to SCSN, Prof. Amupitan’s documented record of behavior and opinions—especially a legal brief he wrote in 2020 that the Council deemed toxic, offensive, and extremely prejudiced toward Nigerian Muslims and Northern Nigeria—are what set his case apart.

Claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and attempts to connect current unrest in the North to Sheikh Uthman bin Fodio’s 19th-century jihad are particularly concerning, according to the Council.

“In a fragile, multireligious nation like Nigeria, these claims are dangerously destabilizing and historically inaccurate,” the statement declared.

The Council was further concerned that these statements, which depicted Nigeria as a nation facing religious annihilation, were purportedly made to foreign players.

“Such behavior is incompatible with the neutrality expected of the Chairman of INEC and constitutes a serious breach of patriotic responsibility,” it further stated.

SCSN emphasized that violence in Northern Nigeria is complicated and impacts both Muslims and Christians, rejecting the idea of a Christian genocide.

In states like Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and others, the majority of victims are Muslims, according to available data. It is intellectually dishonest to promote a one-sided persecution narrative, the Council declared.

It also made the case that in a pluralistic society, people cannot be trusted if their prior works demonstrate prejudice or animosity toward a significant faith group.

Professor Amupitan has not disputed writing the document, apologized, or retracted it since the matter went public, according to SCSN, while the Federal Government has reportedly had to refute the allegations abroad.

The Council stated, “Nigeria has experienced embarrassment, financial cost, and reputational damage,” adding that these outcomes are sufficient justifications for dismissal and legal responsibility.

The seriousness of the damage is further highlighted by recent media revelations claiming that millions of dollars were paid to foreign lobbyists in order to mitigate the consequences of these lies. Such repercussions alone are adequate justification for resignation, dismissal, and legal responsibility in any responsible society,” he stated.

Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, President of SCSN and Imam of Al-Furqan Mosque in Kano, stated in an exclusive interview on Wednesday that the matter is just one of integrity.

“Religion is not the issue. It is about having integrity and having the capacity to go too far on matters that will impair one’s judgment,” he remarked.

Dr. Bashir also stated that the Council is an advocacy organization rather than a political party.

“We have expressed our stance. On behalf of the vast numbers of Muslims headed by scholars and religious leaders under the Council, we only hope that the President would pay attention to our appeal,” he stated.

In closing, the Council advised Nigerians to avoid being mislead by divisive narratives and reiterated its support for competent and equitable leadership regardless of faith.

Mukhtar Adnan: The INEC Chairman is unreliable

Mukhtar Adnan, a former candidate for the Kano State House of Assembly, has supported calls for the removal of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from office, claiming that he cannot be trusted to manage Nigeria’s electoral process.

In an exclusive interview, Adnan made the statement in response to the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria’s (SCSN) demand that the chairman of INEC resign due to alleged issues with neutrality and integrity.

Adnan says that if the chairman stays in office, the electoral body’s reputation is under jeopardy, particularly in light of claims that he sent a letter to international organizations accusing Nigerian Muslims of committing genocide against Christians.

“How do you expect a man who has taken such a stance to be impartial?” Adnan inquired.

“Every piece of evidence indicates that he is an ethnic jingoist and tribalist, and such a person cannot be trusted to oversee the electoral process in this country.”

He asserted that the letter falsely stated that genocide had occurred in Nigeria and was purportedly submitted to the United States and the UN in the name of the chairman’s legal firm.

Concerns regarding the chairman’s impartiality have grown, according to Adnan, since he has not publicly refuted writing the letter.

Adnan emphasized that Nigeria is a multiethnic and multireligious nation, and that the chairman of the election commission must be viewed by all segments of society as impartial and fair.

“I support Nigeria’s Supreme Council’s adherence to Shari’ah.” Bow out, guy. He added, “The President ought to fire him.”

He went on to say that in order to preserve the legitimacy of upcoming elections, the president should name a competent individual who is impartial, free from religious or ethnic prejudice, and nonpartisan if the INEC chairman is dismissed.

To maintain public confidence, INEC needs to be totally impartial, according to Nura Usman

Comrade Nura Usman, a politician and young activist with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Kaduna, also supported the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), arguing that INEC’s leadership must be wholly impartial in order to preserve public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Usman stated that the Council’s concerns are too important to be disregarded.

“To maintain public trust, the electoral leadership needs to be totally impartial,” Usman stated.

“The Supreme Council for Shari’ah is reminding the nation that integrity and justice must guide our leadership by calling for justice, fairness, and unity.”

He cautioned that disregarding the Council’s request to remove the INEC chairman could have dire repercussions, particularly at a time when Nigerian politics are sharply split along racial and religious lines.

“Loss of confidence in the electoral process will be the immediate consequence if this call is ignored,” he warned.

“Voter turnout may be impacted, and opposition parties may use this as justification to contentiously contest the legitimacy of any new government.”

He said the long-term effects might be even more detrimental.

Long-term, it will result in a decline in confidence in organizations like INEC that are meant to be autonomous. Additionally, it will widen rifts in the nation and intensify religious polarization.

Usman recognized that given the petition for the chairman’s dismissal originated with Muslim organizations, some Nigerians could see it through a religious prism.

But he maintained that this kind of view ignores the true problem.

This is not something that should be viewed from a religious or tribal perspective. Neither Christians nor any other minority group are being targeted. This calls for impartiality, accountability, and openness in the electoral process.

He continued by saying that the President and the National Assembly must take prompt measures to appropriately address the problems brought on by the dispute.

He stated, “Failing to address this will affect the entire electoral process because the INEC chairman is still in office despite the legal brief he allegedly wrote, and the calls for his removal are growing.”

Usman continued by accusing the INEC chairman of harming Nigeria’s reputation abroad and characterizing the purported legal brief as a threat to national cohesion.

He ought to be responding to inquiries for a treasonous crime by now in a serious nation. You can’t use false information and fabricated facts to put your own nation in front of foreign authorities and yet be trusted to hold elections. That might be extremely harmful.

Usman maintained that Nigeria should not permit “religion merchants” to have an impact on election results.

Should we permit the use of religion in an election that will be tainted from start to finish? “I don’t think so,” he answered.

Urging swift action, Usman stated that the president should remove the incumbent INEC chairman and replace him with someone who has no credibility problems.

“The President may designate another Christian from a minority group or from anywhere in Nigeria after he is removed.” Religion and tribe are irrelevant. Integrity is key.

He insisted that a person who is really questioned about their neutrality and character shouldn’t be in charge of such a delicate organization as INEC.

He stated that “you cannot allow someone who has a lot of unanswered questions to continue to lead an important institution like INEC.”

“INEC is overly sensitive.” Everything that compromises its integrity needs to be eliminated.

Usman also advised the President to consult stakeholders following any decision made.

“The President ought to communicate with interested parties and provide an explanation for the removal and replacement of the INEC chairman. This will help resolve issues, protect the rule of law, and validate the Electoral Commission’s independence.

Allowing the present chairman to lead elections in the future could lead to issues that could last for decades, he cautioned.

He stated that even in the next fifty years, the issues might not be fixed if he runs the race.

Peace must continue to be Nigeria’s primary concern, Usman emphasized.

“As Nigerians, we have to realize that the most crucial thing is peace. Elections and Nigeria won’t exist without peace. The President needs to pay attention and take swift action.