We will not recognize any election conducted under Amupitan, says Shari’ah Council

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has declared that it will not recognise any election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

The council made the declaration on Wednesday during its annual pre-Ramadan lecture and general assembly held in Abuja, citing what it described as a loss of confidence in Amupitan’s integrity and capacity to act impartially in a multi-religious country.

Speaking at the event, President of the council, Sheikh Bashir Aliyu Umar, called for the immediate removal of the INEC chairman, accusing him of promoting divisive narratives capable of undermining national unity and democratic credibility.

According to Umar, the council’s concerns stem from a legal brief authored by Amupitan in which he reportedly described Christians in Nigeria as victims of genocide—a claim the federal government has consistently rejected.

Amupitan was a contributor to the 2020 publication Nigeria’s Silent Slaughter: Genocide in Nigeria and the Implications for the International Community, released by the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) and the International Organisation on Peace-building & Social Justice (PSJ). In the book, he authored an 80-page chapter arguing that violence against Christians in Nigeria met the threshold of genocide under international law.

“We demand the immediate removal and prosecution of the INEC chairman and declare that no election conducted under a cloud of compromised integrity can be recognised as credible,” Umar said.

He added that allegations of sectarian bias and divisive propaganda against the INEC chairman justified the council’s position, stressing that democratic institutions must be led by individuals of unquestionable neutrality.

Umar disclosed that legal actions are already being pursued to challenge Amupitan’s appointment, noting that the council would support any lawful effort aimed at addressing the issue.

“We reject the narrative of Christian genocide in Nigeria. Such dishonest discourse only fuels division, insecurity and instability,” he said.

The SCSN president also spoke against foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, the establishment of foreign military bases, unjust tax reforms, and any alteration of laws without legislative approval. He urged the National Assembly to conduct public hearings and forensic reviews of all legislation passed since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.

Umar further warned against removing constitutional provisions that guarantee Muslims the right to Shari’ah, stressing that Shari’ah applies strictly to Muslims and does not infringe on the rights of Christians. He cited the dismissal of a suit seeking to halt Shari’ah panels in Oyo State as a reaffirmation of this position.

Also speaking at the event, a member of the House of Representatives, Sani Jaji, said the conference provides guidance for Islamic scholars ahead of Ramadan amid prevailing national challenges. Similarly, the Madakin Zazzau, Malam Muhammadu Munir Ja’afaru, described the council as a principled voice of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.

INEC Reacts

Attempts to obtain an official response from INEC were unsuccessful, as the commission’s spokespersons could not be reached.

However, an INEC official, who spoke anonymously, dismissed the calls for Amupitan’s removal as outside the commission’s mandate. The source said the chairman’s appointment followed due constitutional and legal processes and that INEC operates as a collegiate body rather than being driven by the chairman alone.

“The commission remains focused on its constitutional responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections and will not be distracted by matters outside its remit,” the official said.

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