President Bola Tinubu is facing mounting pressure to dismiss the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, following renewed allegations of religious bias linked to a controversial legal document.
Growing Calls for Removal
The Muslim Rights Concern organization has intensified its demand for Professor Amupitan's removal, citing a resurfaced legal brief from 2020 that allegedly contains biased statements about religious relations in Nigeria. MURIC's Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, publicly questioned the presidency's continued silence on the matter despite weeks of growing concerns.
Multiple Islamic organizations including the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria and the Da'wah Coordination Council of Nigeria have joined the call for Amupitan's dismissal. The groups argue that the 2020 legal document, which was submitted to the United States, promotes divisive narratives about national security and religious conflicts.
Civil Society Adds Voice to Concerns
Beyond religious organizations, civil society groups have also raised alarm about the potential impact on electoral integrity. Citizens Watch for Good Governance described the legal brief as reckless and warned that its tone demonstrates bias that could undermine public trust in Nigeria's electoral process.
Collins Idowu, president of the civil society group, emphasized that the document raises serious questions about Amupitan's judgment and fairness, particularly concerning his ability to oversee elections in Nigeria's religiously diverse environment.
Fresh Petition to Presidency
The coalition Concerned Citizens for Peace, Justice, and Democratic Integrity has submitted a formal petition to President Tinubu requesting immediate action. The petitioners argue that the 2020 publication contains inflammatory remarks that negatively portray certain religious groups.
The petition warns that unresolved doubts about the electoral commission's neutrality could heighten national tensions and jeopardize future elections. The groups are urging President Tinubu to appoint a replacement with an uncontroversial record to maintain electoral credibility.
MURIC concluded its latest statement by challenging the government to break its silence on the allegations and directly address the concerns about Professor Amupitan's suitability to lead Nigeria's electoral body.
