The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, citing concerns over public confidence in the country’s electoral system. The council warned that his continued stay in office could significantly undermine trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.

The call was made in Abuja during the council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly, an event that brought together Islamic scholars, community leaders, and stakeholders to deliberate on Nigeria’s future. Discussions at the gathering focused on the themes of faith, justice, leadership, and national unity, with particular attention paid to the role of institutions in sustaining democracy.

According to reports from the event, the council expressed fears that many Muslims across the country may find it difficult to accept or validate the outcome of any election conducted under the current INEC leadership. The group maintained that elections must not only be free and fair but must also be widely perceived as such by citizens of all backgrounds.

Speaking at the event, the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah, Sheikh Bashir Umar, said the demand for the INEC chairman’s removal was based on past issues that have raised serious doubts about neutrality and fairness. He stressed that the credibility of elections remains the backbone of any democratic system and that any uncertainty surrounding that credibility threatens national stability.

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Sheikh Umar referred to a legal document allegedly authored by the INEC chairman that mentioned claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria. He said the document had heightened fear and mistrust, particularly among Muslim communities, and raised concerns about whether the electoral body could function impartially under such leadership.

According to him, even though the Federal Government has publicly rejected the claims contained in the document, the association alone has already had a negative impact on public confidence. Umar noted that trust, once weakened, is difficult to rebuild, especially in a politically and religiously diverse society like Nigeria.

He further explained that the council’s position is not rooted in religious rivalry or intolerance. Rather, he said it is driven by the need for fairness, justice and unity in national institutions. He emphasised that Nigeria’s progress depends on leaders and systems that unite citizens rather than divide them along religious or ethnic lines.

The council warned that conducting future elections under the current INEC leadership could heighten political tension and deepen existing mistrust among voters. Such a situation, it argued, could pose risks to peaceful participation in elections and the overall legitimacy of democratic outcomes.

In its resolution, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene without delay. The council urged the authorities to take decisive steps that would protect national unity and safeguard democratic stability.

Umar concluded by stating that Nigeria deserves an electoral commission that commands the confidence of all citizens, regardless of faith, region or background. He said restoring full trust in the electoral process is essential for credible elections and for strengthening democracy ahead of future polls.

The council’s call adds to ongoing national conversations about electoral reforms, leadership accountability and the importance of public trust in democratic institutions.