The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded the immediate removal of Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing his controversial position on alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Islamic Groups Voice Strong Opposition
Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, declared that Amupitan can no longer be trusted to oversee Nigeria's electoral processes following the disclosure of his report on religious violence. The Islamic leader emphasized that Amupitan has become "persona non grata in Muslim circles" regarding election matters.
In a strongly worded statement, Akintola questioned Amupitan's impartiality, stating: "A man who authored a hate letter to President Donald Trump about Muslims in Northern Nigeria cannot be expected to be fair in overseeing elections in Nigeria."
Controversial Report Sparks Outrage
The controversy stems from a report Amupitan authored while serving as a faculty member at the University of Jos, Plateau State. In the document, he asserted that "it is a notorious fact that there is perpetration of crimes under international law in Nigeria, particularly crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide."
Joining MURIC in the condemnation, the Supreme Council for Shari'ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review Amupitan's appointment. The religious body described Amupitan's report as a "toxic legal brief containing highly provocative, distorted, and bigoted assertions" about conflicts in Northern Nigeria.
Call for Replacement with National Acceptance
MURIC has proposed that President Tinubu should appoint a replacement with broader national acceptance. The group specifically suggested selecting "any other qualified person with national spread of acceptance, preferably of the same faith with Amupitan but from another geopolitical zone."
The demand for Amupitan's removal comes amid ongoing international attention on religious violence in Nigeria. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has expressed readiness to work with the Tinubu administration on addressing these concerns.
This development represents a significant challenge for Nigeria's electoral body as it prepares for future elections, with religious sensitivity now becoming a central issue in the leadership of INEC.
