MURIC Petitions NASS, Demands Removal of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Anti-Muslim Bias

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has formally petitioned the National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS), calling for the removal of the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, over allegations of anti-Muslim bias.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, and signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights advocacy group accused the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of exhibiting what it described as “documented anti-Muslim prejudice.”

According to MURIC, Professor Amupitan allegedly authored and circulated an 80-page legal brief on claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria to authorities in the United States. The group claimed the document was later used to indict Nigeria internationally, arguing that it portrayed Nigerian Muslims unfairly and fueled foreign intervention narratives.

The organisation said Islamic groups began demanding the INEC chairman’s removal three months ago but alleged that the Presidency had not responded to their complaints. It further questioned what it called the government’s swift engagement with other interest groups while allegedly adopting a lukewarm approach toward concerns raised by Muslim organisations.

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MURIC warned that the controversy could affect the credibility of the 2027 general elections, stating that allegations of bias might become central in future election disputes. The group maintained that since the Presidency had not acted on its complaints, it was taking the matter to the “court of the people’s representatives” at the National Assembly.

The organisation emphasized that its demand was not based on religious identity but on what it described as a lack of impartiality. It insisted that the INEC chairman could not effectively serve as a neutral referee in an electoral contest involving Muslim candidates and voters, given the allegations against him. At the same time, MURIC clarified that it was not opposed to Christians occupying the INEC chairmanship, noting that previous Christian officeholders had served without objections from Muslim groups.

The group urged lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly to investigate the allegations and take what it termed appropriate action to safeguard electoral neutrality in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the INEC chairman had issued an official response to the renewed call for his removal. The development adds a fresh dimension to ongoing national conversations about election credibility, religious sensitivity, and institutional impartiality ahead of the 2027 polls.

MURIC Petitions NASS, Demands Removal of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Anti-Muslim Bias

How Ikwechegh’s ₦1.15tr Interrogation Led to Tinubu’s Cabinet Shake-Up

President Bola Tinubu has removed Doris Uzoka-Anite as Minister of State for Finance and nominated Taiwo Oyedele as her replacement, following a dramatic cabinet reshuffle that came just one week after an explosive budget defence hearing at the House of Representatives.

The development has sparked intense national debate, as it followed public scrutiny over ₦1.15 trillion in approved capital funds that were reportedly not disbursed despite being part of the 2025 federal budget.

On February 25, 2026, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, confronted the finance team during the Appropriation Committee’s budget defence session. Armed with documentation from his role on the House Committee on Aids and Loans, Ikwechegh listed major approved loans and funding arrangements, including $1.2 billion for digital infrastructure, $500 million economic stimulus, $500 million MSME support (December 2025), $500 million AfDB-backed economic governance and energy transition funding, additional executive loan requests in multiple currencies, and ₦1.15 trillion — representing 30% of the 2025 capital budget — approved but not disbursed.

Despite these approvals and strong revenue reports from agencies such as FIRS and Nigeria Customs Service, lawmakers were informed that capital project execution stood at zero percent. Ikwechegh pressed the panel, questioning why capital projects across Nigeria remained unfunded while recurrent expenditure had already consumed a significant portion of released funds.

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When questioned, Minister of Finance Wale Edun reportedly shifted responsibility for disbursements to Uzoka-Anite, prompting the committee to summon her the following day. Uzoka-Anite confirmed that the ₦1.15 trillion had indeed been approved but stated that some ministries had not met “pre-disbursement conditions.” Lawmakers demanded clarification on which ministries had met all requirements yet failed to receive funding. She was unable to name any, raising concerns over whether funds were approved without adequate verification or whether allocations were being withheld without justification.

Exactly seven days after the initial hearing, the presidency announced a cabinet reshuffle. In a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Uzoka-Anite was reassigned to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State, marking her third portfolio under the Tinubu administration. She had previously served as Minister of Trade and Investment before moving to Finance. Her replacement nominee, Taiwo Oyedele, now awaits Senate confirmation. The official statement did not directly link the reshuffle to the budget defence hearing, but the timing has fueled widespread public speculation.

Taiwo Oyedele is a respected tax expert and economist who previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. Before his nomination, he spent over two decades at PwC, rising to become Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader. He is widely known for leading tax reform initiatives aimed at simplifying Nigeria’s tax system and broadening the revenue base. If confirmed, Oyedele will work alongside Wale Edun at the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The controversy surrounding the ₦1.15 trillion capital budget funds highlights deeper concerns about budget implementation, public finance transparency, and accountability in Nigeria. While the cabinet reshuffle signals a political response, the core question remains unresolved: Where is the ₦1.15 trillion approved for capital projects?

If funds were approved by the National Assembly but not released for infrastructure development, the implications extend beyond politics to roads, hospitals, schools, and economic growth nationwide. For many Nigerians, the sequence of events suggests that legislative oversight may have triggered executive action. Whether further investigation or accountability measures will follow remains to be seen.

How Ikwechegh’s ₦1.15tr Interrogation Led to Tinubu’s Cabinet Shake-Up

Edo Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin City Youths in Protest Over Power Outages

Benin City, Edo State — Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo on Monday publicly aligned himself with youths and residents protesting persistent power outages and billing challenges linked to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). The protest took place at Ring Road in Benin City, with demonstrators carrying placards reading “We say no to BEDC oppression,” “No light, no bill,” and “Edo people say no to bulk billing.”

The protesters decried prolonged blackouts, estimated electricity bills, and what they described as the exorbitant cost of prepaid meters, which they say range between ₦150,000 and ₦400,000. Residents also questioned the transparency of BEDC’s free meter distribution initiative, urging the company to publicly disclose beneficiaries.

Governor Okpebholo, reportedly passing by the protest area, stopped to address the crowd. He expressed solidarity with the demonstrators, saying he stood with them “as fellow youths seeking fairness.” The governor acknowledged that electricity challenges affect both rural and urban communities in Edo State and appealed for calm while the government engages relevant stakeholders to find solutions.

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While clarifying that BEDC is privately owned and not directly controlled by the state government, Governor Okpebholo pledged that efforts would be made to tackle the residents’ concerns. He suggested liberalising the electricity distribution sector to attract new investors and reduce what he described as a monopoly. Drawing a comparison with the telecommunications industry, he noted that introducing more players would improve service delivery and provide consumers with options.

The governor also announced plans to convene a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday and urged the protesters to nominate five representatives to participate in discussions aimed at addressing electricity supply and billing issues.

Speaking on behalf of the protest group, Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel said residents were compelled to act due to what they termed oppressive practices by BEDC. He emphasized the financial burden caused by prepaid meters and irregular billing, stating: “We pay for light and they give us darkness.”

Eyewitnesses reported that the protest remained peaceful, with security personnel ensuring order. The demonstrators dispersed following Governor Okpebholo’s address. As of press time, BEDC had not issued an official response to the claims raised by residents.

Edo Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin City Youths in Protest Over Power Outages