2027 Elections: Shariah Council Passes Vote of No Confidence on INEC Chairman, Demands His Sack

Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN)

2027 Elections: Shariah Council Passes Vote of No Confidence on INEC Chairman, Demands His Sack

Abuja, Nigeria — January 28, 2026: The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has passed a vote of no confidence on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Josh Amupitan, citing alleged lack of capacity, credibility, and religious impartiality in conducting free and fair elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision was announced by SCSN President, Sheik Bashir Aliyu Umar, during the annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday. The event, themed “Nigeria’s future: faith, justice, and leadership”, highlighted concerns over both electoral integrity and broader governance issues affecting the Nigerian Muslim community.

SCSN Criticizes INEC Leadership

Sheik Umar said investigations by the Council revealed that Prof. Amupitan had displayed religious bias and took positions inconsistent with religious tolerance, including allegedly supporting narratives of “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, despite government statements to the contrary.

“He has lost the trust and confidence of the Muslim community in Nigeria, particularly the members of SCSN. The best thing for him to do is honourably resign, or the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should remove him from office. Otherwise, the outcome of any election he conducts will be unacceptable to us,” Sheik Umar stated.

Broader Governance and Policy Criticisms

Beyond the INEC chairman, the SCSN addressed several national governance concerns:

Federal appointments: The Council highlighted a perceived imbalance in federal appointments for Muslims, calling for redress in line with the federal character principle to preserve national cohesion.
Tax policies: The SCSN opposed recent fiscal reforms, describing them as unjust and socially irresponsible to ordinary Nigerians.
Legislative oversight: The Council condemned executive interference in the alteration of bills passed by the National Assembly, urging forensic reviews of laws enacted since the start of the 10th Assembly.

Sheik Umar also reaffirmed the Council’s stance on religious freedom, peaceful coexistence, and the constitutional right of Muslims to Shariah, while supporting Halal economy and Islamic finance tools, such as Sukuk bonds, as instruments of ethical and inclusive development.

Reactions and Political Implications

The vote of no confidence has stirred debates about INEC’s independence and religious influence in electoral politics. Analysts say the move reflects rising tension ahead of the 2027 elections, as faith-based groups increasingly scrutinize election preparedness and institutional impartiality.

Legal experts note that any removal of the INEC chairman must follow constitutional procedures, including recommendations by the President and approval by the Senate, cautioning against extra-constitutional pressure.

Meanwhile, political parties have expressed mixed reactions: some support calls for transparent electoral reforms, while others emphasize the need to protect the independence of INEC and respect due process in leadership appointments.